Cranberry Extract Suppressive Effect on Secretion of Inflammatory Cytokines by the Monocytic Cells

Abstract

The proanthocyanidin rich fraction of cranberry (NDM) has long been speculated to possess the capacity to suppress the production of inflammatory mediators by macrophages. The objective of this investigation was to examine the effect of NDM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated stimulation of the cultured monocytic cells (THP-1) to secrete two inflammatory cytokines; IL-1β and TNF-α. The LPS used in the study was isolated from periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Methods: Cultured monocytic cells were incubated with bacterial LPS in the presence or absence of NDM, and the culture supernatants were assayed for secreted TNF-a and IL-b by ELISA. Cells incubated with NDM secreted significantly lesser amounts of the two cytokines than the cells without. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the ability of NDM to suppress production of inflammatory cytokines by the human monocytic cells when stimulated with LPS. The findings of this study provides promising perspectives for the development of novel host-modulating therapies for adjunctive treatments of periodontitis or other inflammatory diseases by the NDM isolated from cranberries.