AUTHOR=Chen Pengxiao , Bai Qi , Wu Yanting , Zeng Qiongzhen , Song Xiaowei , Guo Yuying , Zhou Pengjun , Wang Yao , Liao Xiaofeng , Wang Qiaoli , Ren Zhe , Wang Yifei 

TITLE=The Essential Oil of Artemisia argyi H.Lév. and Vaniot Attenuates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in THP-1 Cells

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.712907

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.712907

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Artemisia argyi</italic> H. Lév. and Vaniot is a traditional medical herb that has been used for a long time in China and other Asian counties. Essential oil is the main active fraction of <italic>Artemisia argyi</italic> H. Lév. and Vaniot, and its anti-inflammatory potential has been observed <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>. Here, we found that the essential oil of <italic>Artemisia argyi</italic> H. Lév. and Vaniot (EOAA) inhibited monosodium urate (MSU)- and nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. EOAA suppressed caspase-1 and IL-1β processing and pyroptosis. NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and translocation were also inhibited. In addition, EOAA suppressed nigericin-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation without blocking ASC oligomerization, suggesting that it may inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing caspase-1 processing. Our study thus indicates that EOAA inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and has therapeutic potential against NLRP3-driven diseases.</p>