BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Mitochondrial DNA leakage leads to inflammatory responses via endosome activation. This study aims to evaluate whether the perennial grass water extract (
Pogonatherum panicum
) ameliorate mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage.
MATERIALS/METHODS
The major bioactive constituents of
P. paniceum
(PPW) were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography, after which their antioxidant activities were assessed. In addition, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, resulting in mitochondrial damage. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the gene expression and cytokines.
RESULTS
Our results showed that PPW extract-treated activated cells significantly decrease reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels by reducing the
p22
phox
and
iNOS
expression and lowering cytokine-encoding genes, including
IL-6
,
TNF-α
,
IL-1β
,
PG-E2
and
IFN-γ
relative to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LPS enhanced the mtDNA leaked into the cytoplasm, increasing the transcription of
Tlr9
and signaling both
MyD88
/
Irf7-
dependent interferon and MyD88/NF-κb p65-dependent inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression but which was alleviated in the presence of PPW extract.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that PPW extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities by facilitating mtDNA leakage and lowering the
Tlr9
expression and signaling activation.