Effect of Luteolin and Apigenin on the Production of Il-31 and Il-33 in Lipopolysaccharides-Activated Microglia Cells and Their Mechanism of Action

Microglia cells are resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS) charged with modulating inflammation in the CNS. Overstimulation of microglia cells continuously releases inflammatory mediators that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Apigenin and Luteolin are flavonoids with reported anti-inflammatory activities. However, their effects on IL-31 and IL-33 production in microglial cells are unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of apigenin and luteolin on the production of IL-31 and IL-33 by microglia cells. SIM-A9 microglial cells were pre-treated with apigenin or luteolin and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides to evaluate the production of IL-31 and IL-33. The study revealed that apigenin and luteolin inhibited the production of IL-31 and IL-33 at the gene and protein expressions and the secretion levels. Using potent inhibitors of MAPK, NF-κB, and STAT3 signaling pathways, we demonstrated that apigenin and luteolin’s suppression of ERK and JNK contributed to the inhibition of IL-31 and IL-33 in the MAPK pathway. Luteolin’s suppression of NF-κB and STAT3 also contributed to the inhibition of IL-31 and IL-33. Further analysis revealed that both compounds prevented nuclear translocation of activated NF-κB and STAT3, an act that subsequently prevented their DNA binding activities. Collectively, the study suggested that apigenin and luteolin’s regulation of signaling pathways contributed to the inhibition of IL-31 and IL-33, thus suggesting its importance for the improvement of neurodegenerative diseases involving these two cytokines.