[Apigenin inhibits release and gene expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in J774.2 macrophages].

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) is secreted by activated macrophages and endothelial cells, and is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. There is need to develop drugs that inhibit excessive infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes to the arterial wall and central nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of apigenin on the synthesis and release of MCP-1 by J774.2 macrophages in vitro. Apigenin studied at higher doses (10 and 30 microM) diminished MCP-1 release in lipopolysaccharide activated J774.2 macrophages. Apigenin administered at lower doses (3.1 and 0.3 microM) did not change secretion of MCP-1 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Apigenin treated at a dose of 30 microM strongly reduced the number of MCP-1 mRNA copies in J774.2 cells. These results suggest that apigenin possesses anti-inflammatory properties and that apigenin inhibited MCP-1 production at the transcriptional level.