Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Gnetum Parvifolium and Its Bioactive Compound, Isorhapontigenin: Impact on Oxidative Stress, Cell Viability and Adipose Cell Differentiation

[摘要] IntroductionChronic inflammatory conditions represent a major global health priority and are closely associated with oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction. Traditional medicinal plants are known to produce bioactive compounds with diverse properties, including anti-inflammatory activity. This study explored the biological effects of Gnetum parvifolium (G. parvifolium) extract and its main compound, isorhapontigenin (ISO), focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, cell viability, and adipose cell differentiation.MethodsHPLC and LC-MS analysis were applied for the identification and quantification of ISO in G. parvifolium extract. Blood leucocytes were exposed to varying concentrations of the extract and ISO to assess the ROS production and cell viability. In parallel, the effect of the extract and ISO on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and markers of adipose cell differentiation were evaluated using ProcartaPlex™ Immunoassays and qRT-PCR analysis.ResultsTreatment with G. parvifolium extract resulted in a significant reduction of intracellular ROS levels (IC50 = 13.9 µg/mL) without affecting leukocyte viability. The extract strongly suppressed the production and gene expression of major pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-17a, and IL-2. It also induced a selective downregulation of the adipocyte fatty acid–binding protein aP2, while other markers of adipose cell differentiation remained unchanged. In parallel, ISO markedly decreased ROS generation (IC50 = 7.9 µM) without cytotoxic effects. ISO significantly reduced the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-17a, and IL-2 and was associated with decreased expression of IL-17a, IL-2, and NOX2 genes. Like the plant extract, ISO selectively lowered aP2 expression without significantly modifying other adipogenic markers.ConclusionTaken together, these findings demonstrate that G. parvifolium extract and ISO exert combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects while maintaining cell viability and selectively modulating adipose differentiation. Collectively, these effects point to a potential role G. parvifolium extract and ISO in the regulation of biological pathways linked to chronic inflammatory diseases.

[发布日期] 2026-07-01

[关键词] G. parvifolium;isorhapontigenin;antioxidant activity;cell viability;anti-inflammatory effect;adipose cell differentiation