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Curcumin and capsaicin modulates LPS induced expression of COX-2, IL-6 and TGF-β in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

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Abstract

The mechanism of action of treatment of either curcumin or capsaicin or in combination on LPS (Lipopolysaccharide) induced inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated using RT-PCR and in silico docking methods. RT-PCR analysis has shown that the curcumin and capsaicin significantly reduced LPS induced over expression of COX-2, IL-6 and TGF-β in PBMCs. Whereas combined molecules demonstrated synergistic response on the reduction of COX-2, IL-6 and TGF-β over expression in LPS induced PBMCs as compared to individual molecules. Further, The docking of curcumin and capsaicin at the active pockets of COX-2, IL-6 and TGF-β has shown − 3.90, − 4.49 and − 5.61 kcal/mol binding energy for curcumin and − 3.80, − 4.78 and − 5.76 kcal/mol binding energy for capsaicin, while multiple ligand simultaneous docking (MLSD) of both molecules has shown higher binding energy of − 4.24, − 5.35 and − 5.83 kcal/mol respectively. This has demonstrated the efficacy of combined curcumin and capsaicin against the LPS induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs. These results attributed the coordinated positive modulation on biochemical and molecular cellular process by combined curcumin and capsaicin as compared to individual molecules.

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Acknowledgement

HM and TV acknowledge the financial assistance (SB/EMEQ-343/2013) provided by Department of Science and Technology-Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB) Govt. of India, New Delhi.

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  1. Thriveni Vasanthkumar

    Present address: Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Institute of Technology, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560 107, India

  2. Manjunatha Hanumanthappa

    Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi Campus, Bangalore, 560 056, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Post-graduation Studies and Research in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Kuvempu University, Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, Shivamogga, Karnataka, 577 451, India

    Thriveni Vasanthkumar & Manjunatha Hanumanthappa

  2. Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi Campus, Bangalore, 560 056, India

    Rangaswamy Lakshminarayana

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  1. Thriveni Vasanthkumar
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  3. Rangaswamy Lakshminarayana
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Correspondence to Manjunatha Hanumanthappa.

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Vasanthkumar, T., Hanumanthappa, M. & Lakshminarayana, R. Curcumin and capsaicin modulates LPS induced expression of COX-2, IL-6 and TGF-β in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cytotechnology 71, 963–976 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10616-019-00338-x

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