Polyphenols from blueberries modulate inflammation cytokines in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages

Polyphenols including 3-glucoside/arabinoside/galactoside-based polymers of delphinidins, petunidins, peonidins, malvidins and cyanidins are one type of biological macromolecules, which are extraordinarily rich in blueberries. Anti-inflammatory activity of blueberry polyphenols (BPPs) was investigated by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The results showed that BPPs suppressed the gene expression of IL-1β (interleukin-1β), IL-6 and IL-12p35. The inhibition effect on IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA was most obvious at the concentration of 10–200 μg/mL BPPs. But the inhibition effect on IL-12p35 mRNA was increased with the increasing concentration of BPPs. When fixed at 100 μg/mL BPPs, the most significant inhibition on IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-12p35 mRNA expression was detected at 12–48 h. In conclusion, BPPs exhibit anti-inflammation activity by mediating and modulating the balances in pro-inflammatory cytokines of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12.