EFFECTS OF 3 DIETARY PHYTOCHEMICALS FROM TEA, ROSEMARY AND TURMERIC ON INFLAMMATION-INDUCED NITRITE PRODUCTION

In chronic inflammation, cytokines induce the production of nitric oxi de (NO.) that is converted to DNA damaging and carcinogenic peroxynitr ite and nitrite. The compounds epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), carnos ol, and curcumin are non-vitamin phytochemicals contained in commonly consumed dietary plants. They are known to be anti-inflammatory and ca ncer preventive. Therefore, we studied their effect on the generation of peroxynitrite radicals and nitrite. They inhibited lipopolysacchari de (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) induced nitrite production b y mouse peritoneal cells by more than 50% at 2.5-10 mu M. Cell viabili ty assays verified that the inhibition was not due to general cellular toxicity.