Rotundarpene inhibits toll-like receptor 2 activation-induced production of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes by suppressing the Akt and NF-κB pathways.

Microbial components have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. The extract of from the barks of Ilex rotunda Thunb has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, the effect of hemiterpene rotundarpene (4-caffeoyl-3-methyl-but-2-ene-1,4-diol) on the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 activation-induced production of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes has not been studied. Using human keratinocytes, we investigated the effect of rotundarpene on the inflammatory mediator production in relation to the TLR-2-mediated-Akt and NF-κB pathways, which regulates the transcription genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Rotundarpene, Akt inhibitor, Bay 11-7085 and N-acetylcysteine each attenuated the lipoteichoic acid- or peptidoglycan-induced production of cytokines and chemokines, expression of TLR-2, activation of NF-κB and Akt, and formation of reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes. Cyclosporine A attenuated the bacterial component-induced production of inflammatory mediators but did not reduce the formation of reactive oxygen species. The results show that rotundarpene may attenuate the bacterial component-stimulated production of inflammatory mediators in keratinocytes by suppressing the TLR-2-mediated activation of the Akt and NF-κB pathways. The effect of rotundarpene may be attributed to its inhibitory effect on the formation of reactive oxygen species. Rotundarpene may exert a preventive effect against the bacterial component-mediated inflammatory skin diseases.