The Suppressive Effect of a Marine Carotenoid, Fucoxanthin, on Mouse Ear Swelling through Regulation of Activities and mRNA Expression of Inflammation-associated Enzymes

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The anti-inflammatory effects of fucoxanthin (Fx) were investigated in vivo and in vitro. When mouse ear swelling was induced by three sensitizers, arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and oxazolone, both percutaneous and oral administration of 150 nmol/mouse of Fx suppressed the effects, similar to a typical natural inhibitor, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The inhibitory effects of Fx, and its metabolite fucoxanthinol (Fxol), on inflammation-related enzymatic activities [phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, lipoxygenase, and hyaluronidase (HA)] were evaluated to elucidate the mechanism of suppression of mouse ear swelling. Both Fx and Fxol inhibited PLA₂, COX-2, and HA activities to a greater extent than EGCG. Moreover, they suppressed mRNA expressions of PLA₂ and COX-2 in rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 cells. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of Fx and Fxol on mouse ear swelling were due to the inhibition of enzymatic activities and mRNA expression.