Acacetin inhibits expression of E-selectin on endothelial cells through regulation of the MAP kinase signaling pathway and activation of NF-κB

Since E-selectin-mediated adhesion of leukocytes or tumor cells to the vascular endothelium is a key early event in the initiation of inflammatory response and cancer metastasis, E-selectin inhibition is thought to be a good target for therapeutic intervention. Several flavones have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In the present study, we investigated the effects of plant flavones on expression of E-selectin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Among 11 flavones, acacetin strongly inhibited TNF-α-induced E-selectin expression in HUVECs. Acacetin suppressed the TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of p38 but did not inhibit TNF-α-induced phosphorylations of JNK and ERK. Acacetin also inhibited the activation of NF-κB by stimulation with TNF-α. Furthermore, adhesion of monocytes to TNF-α-treated endothelial cells was inhibited by cotreatment with acacetin. These results suggest that acacetin inhibits the expression of E-selectin by regulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and activation of NF-κB.