The anti-inflammatory effects of methylsulfonylmethane on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages

Abstract

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone and methyl sulfone, is an organic sulfur - containing compound that occurs naturally in a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and animals, including humans. In the present study, we demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of MSM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - stimulated murine macrophages, RAW264.7 cells. MSM significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E 2 by alleviating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in LPS - stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were decreased by MSM treatment in cell culture supernatants. Further study indicated that the translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-κB to the nucleus was inhibited by MSM treatment in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, in which it helped block degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB. In addition, in vivo studies demonstrated that topical administration of MSM at 500-1250 μg/ear resulted in similar inhibitory activities in 12-0-tetradecanoylphor - bol 13-acetate-induced mouse ear edema. Collectively, theses results indicate that MSM inhibits LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators in murine macrophages through downregulation of NF-κB signaling. © 2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.