Protection of 4-hydroxybenzyl-chitooligomers against inflammatory responses in Chang liver cells

The aim of this study was to investigate anti-inflammatory activity of 4-hydroxybenzyl-chitooligomers (HB-COS) in Chang liver cells stimulated by a cytokine mixture. It was revealed that HB-COS decreased the level of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by diminishing the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) without significant cytotoxicity. Moreover, HB-COS exerted inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory mediator (interleukin-6) in Chang liver cells. Notably, HB-COS exhibited anti-inflammatory activities via blocking degradation of inhibitory kappa B alpha (IκB-α), translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, these findings indicated that HB-COS possessed potential anti-inflammatory effects in Chang liver cells, and could be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatic inflammatory diseases.