A Sesquiterpene Quinone, 5-Epi-smenospongine, Promotes TNF-α Production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells

Abstract

Eight sesquiterpene quinones: ilimaquinone (1), smenospongidine (3),smenospongiarine (5), smenospongine (7), and their corresponding 5-epimers 2, 4, 6, and 8,isolated from the Palauan marine sponge Hippospongia sp., were examined regarding theireffects on TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. 5-Epi-smenospongine(8) promoted the production of TNF-α to a level three times greater than the control at10 μM, but compounds 1-7 did not show apparent activity. The results suggest that thecis-decaline ring and a primary amine in the benzoquinone ring are necessary for activity.This is the first study to report the modulation of TNF-α production by a sesquiterpenequinone.

Keywords

• Sesquiterpene quinone
• marine sponge
• Hippospongia sp.
• TNF-α production
• RAW 264.7 cells