INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ESCULENTOSIDE-A ON TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA PRODUCTION BY HUMAN MONOCYTES

ESCULENTOSIDE A (EsA) is a saponin isolated from the roots of Phytolac ca esculenta. Previous experiments have shown that it has strong antii nflammatory effects. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a very important inflammatory mediator. It is known that there are two types of TNF-TNF alpha is from macrophages/monocytes and TNF beta is from activated ly mphocytes. In order to study the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory ef fect of EsA, it was determined whether TNF alpha production from human peripheral monocytes was altered by EsA under Lipopolysaccharide (LPS )-stimulated conditions. EsA was found to decrease TNF alpha productio n in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 1 mu mol/1 EsA. Recent studies have shown that EsA has a curative effect on choco late cyst and other inflammatory diseases. Our previous studies have s hown that EsA could reduce the release of platelet activating factor ( PAF) from rat macrophages, and inhibit interleukin-l and interleukin-6 production from murine macrophages. The reducing effects of EsA on th e release of TNF alpha, IL-1, IL-6 and PAF may explain its anti-inflam matory effect.