Ingenane-type diterpene compounds from Euphorbia kansui modulate IFN-γ production through NF-κB activation

BACKGROUND: Euphorbia kansui, a traditional medical herb, has been shown to have anti-tumour and anti-viral activities. Previously, we have reported that E. kansui increases interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in natural killer (NK) cells. However, it is not clear how E. kansui regulates IFN-gamma secretion by NK cells. RESULTS: In this study, E. kansui was separated into six individual compounds from the same chloroform fraction so that the activity of each compound could be compared. E. kansui compounds induced IFN-gamma secretion through the phosphorylation of protein kinase D and I kappa B kinase pathways. Furthermore, E. kansui compounds activated the translocation of p65, a sub-unit of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappa B), to the nucleus and induced NF-kappa B at the transcriptional level. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that E. kansui enhances IFN-gamma secretion through the NF-kappa B pathway in NK cells. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry