earticle

영어

Toll-like receptors(TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors(PRRs) that recognize pathogen-associated molecularpatterns(PAMPs) and regulate the activation of innate immunity. All TLR signaling pathways culminate in the activationof NF-κB, leading to the induction of inflammatory gene products such as COX-2. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) hasbeen used for centuries as an herbal medicine. Isoliquiritigenin(ILG), a simple chalcone-type flavonoid, is an active componentpresent in licorice and has been used to treat many chronic diseases. However, the mechanism as to how ILG mediateshealth effects is still largely unknown. In the present report, we present biochemical evidence that ILG inhibits the NF-κB activation induced by TLR agonists and the overexpression of downstream signaling components of TLRs, MyD88,IKKβ, and p65. ILG also inhibits TLR agonists-induced COX-2 expression. These results suggest that anti-inflammatoryeffects of ILG are caused by modulation of the immune responses regulated by TLR signaling pathways.