Variegatic acid from the edible mushroom Tylopilus ballouii inhibits TNF-α production and PKCβ1 activity in leukemia cells.

Variegatic acid is inhibitor of β-hexosaminidase release and TNF-α secretion from RBL-2H3 cells, the inhibitory mechanism involved inhibition of PKCβ. • Anti-inflammatory effect of variegatic acid was studied in RBL-2H3 cells. • Inhibitory effects were observable after the increase of intracellular Ca2+ ion. • It suppressed degranulation & inflammatory cytokine secretion via PKCβ1 inhibition. • Variegatic acid could be a possible candidate for new anti-allergic agent. Variegatic acid, isolated from Tylopilus ballouii dry fruiting bodies, is an inhibitor of β-hexosaminidase release and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, with IC 50 values of 10.4 μM and 16.8 μM, respectively. On the other hand, it inhibits PKCβ1 activity with an IC 50 value of 36.2 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]