inflammatory activity of Cymbopogon citratus leaves infusion via proteasome and nuclear factor-κB pathway inhibition: contribution of chlorogenic acid, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, http://dx.doi.org/10. 1016/j.jep.2013.03.077 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Activation of nuclear factor-țB, a master regulator of inflammation, was investigated by Western blot and gene reporter assay. Proteasome activity was assessed using a fluorogenic peptide.Results: Cymbopogon citratus extract and its polyphenols inhibited the cytokine production on human macrophages. This supports the anti-inflammatory activity of Cy polyphenols in physiologically relevant cells. Concerning the effect on the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-țB pathway, the results pointed to an inhibition of LPS-induced NF-țB activation by Cy and PFs.Chlorogenic acid was identified, by HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS n , as the main phenolic acid of the Cy infusion, and it demonstrated to be, at least in part, responsible by that effect. Additionally, it was verified for the first time, that Cy and PFs inhibited the proteasome activity, a complex that controls NF-țB activation, having CGA a strong contribution.
Conclusions:The results evidenced, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory properties of Cymbopogon citratus through proteasome inhibition and, consequently NF-țB pathway and cytokine expression. Additionally, Cy polyphenols, in particular chlorogenic acid, were highlighted as bio-active compounds.