Anti-Inflammatory Effects of <i>Caulerpa okamurae</i> Extracts on <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

<i>Caulebra okamurae</i> (<i>C. okamurae</i>), a green seaweed, has been reported to exhibit pharmacological properties, including anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of <i>C. okamurae</i> extracts on perio...

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Main Authors: Chae-yun Lee, Min-jeong Kim, Hyun-jin Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/6/388
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Summary:<i>Caulebra okamurae</i> (<i>C. okamurae</i>), a green seaweed, has been reported to exhibit pharmacological properties, including anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of <i>C. okamurae</i> extracts on periodontal health. The cell viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages was dose-dependently assessed using an MTS assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of <i>C. okamurae</i> on <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> (<i>P. gingivalis</i>)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production. mRNA expression levels of <i>tumor necrosis factor</i> (<i>TNF</i>)-<i>α</i>, <i>interleukin</i> (<i>IL</i>)-<i>6</i>, and <i>IL-1β</i> were quantified via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of iNOS, p-IKKα/β, p-IκBα, and NF-κB p65 was examined using Western blot and immunofluorescence. The results demonstrated that <i>C. okamurae</i> extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophages at concentrations of 0.2, 2, 20, and 200 μg/mL. The extracts dose-dependently reduced NO production, downregulated mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibited iNOS expression in <i>P. gingivalis</i>-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, a model commonly used to study periodontal inflammation. Furthermore, the extracts suppressed the phosphorylation of IKKα/β and IκBα and prevented the NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. These findings suggest that <i>C. okamurae</i> extracts inhibit NF-κB signaling activation triggered by the periodontal pathogen, highlighting their potential anti-inflammatory effects, relevant to periodontal disease.
ISSN:1467-3037
1467-3045