Effects of Berberine on TNF-α and IL-10 Secretion Induced by LPS and IL-4 in RAW264.7 Cells

Objective To observe the effects of berberine on inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10(IL-10) secreted by macrophage RAW264.7 cells afterstimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and IL-4 respectively,and to discuss preliminarily the effect of berberine on macrophage polarization. Methods The effect of berberine at the concentration under IC50 on RAW264.7 cells proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS and IL-4 respectively,and then the secretion of TNF-α and IL-10 was measured by ELISA. Results IC50 of berberine to RAW264.7 cells was in the range of 400~800 μmol·L-1. The concentration of TNF-α increased significantly(P0.01)in RAW264.7cells after LPS stimulation,and then was inhibited by berberine at the concentration of 5,10,20 μmol·L-1significantly(P0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile,the concentration of IL-10 was also increased significantly(P0.05),and then was inhibited by berberine at 20 μmol·L-1. When RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by IL-4,the concentration of IL-10 was increased and TNF-α was decreased significantly,and berberine at the concentration of 5,10,20 μmol·L-1had dose-dependent effect only on decreasing IL-10 content. Conclusion Berberine can inhibit RAW264.7 cells secreting pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α when stimulated by LPS,and can inhibit RAW264.7 cells secreting anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 when stimulated by IL-4,which suggests that berberine plays a regulation role in macrophage polarization process.