Lagerstroemia speciosa extract inhibit TNF-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB in rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells.

OBJECTIVE

Lagerstroemia speciosa has been used as a folk medicine among people with diabetes in the Philippines. It is known to exhibit antidiabetic, antiobesity, and glucose transport activities through mechanisms not well defined. Diabetes leads to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in association with an upregulation of vasoactive factors and activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activating protein-1. We therefore investigated the effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa on the activation of NF-kappaB as a key mediator of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, in rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells.

METHODS

Water extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae family) was prepared. H9c2 cells were used for treatment of Lagerstroemia speciosa extract with/without tumor necrosis factor (TNF). To examine NF-kappaB's activation, we performed an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).

RESULTS

The activation of NF-kappaB by TNF was completely blocked by a Lagerstroemia speciosa extract in a dose- and time-dependent manner in H9c2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our results indicate that Lagerstroemia speciosa can inhibit DNA-binding of NF-kappaB. This may explain its possible inhibition of diabetes-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.