The effects of egcg and tq on inflammatory mediator production in raw 264.7 cells challenged with LPS - biomed 2010.

: Inflammatory processes can occur over short periods in response to pathogens or can be activated by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of antioxidants has been shown to be beneficial in stimulating immune cells to increase phagocytosis and up-regulating the cellular processes to limit acute inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine the preventative effects of water soluble epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and lipophilic thymoquinone (TQ) on RAW 264.7 macrophages followed by challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Macrophages were treated with EGCG (10microM) and/or TQ (10microM) for 2, 24, and 48 hour durations followed by a single bolus of LPS (0.01 microg/mL). Cell viability was assessed by cell number and cellular morphology. Cellular glutathione levels, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels determined cellular function. Inflammatory markers were quantitated by the use of multiplex ELISA technology. EGCG was not able to suppress the effects of LPS over 48 hours. TQ was able to protect cellular morphology, and reduce cellular glutathione and nitric oxide. The combination of antioxidants did not offer a greater protective effect than when using the antioxidants alone.