Evaluation of raw 264.7 macrophages treated with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and thymoquinone - biomed 2009.

Inflammation is a direct result from the activation of the immune system. Acute inflammatory processes occur over short periods in response to pathogens or can be activated by intracellular reactive oxygen species. The use of antioxidants has been shown to be beneficial in stimulating immune cells to increase phagocytosis and up-regulating the cellular processes to limit acute inflammation. The goal of this study was to determine the effective concentrations of water soluble epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and lipophilic thymoquinone (TQ) antioxidants that do not alter cellular function or cellular viability. Macrophages were treated with EGCG (5microM, 10microM, 50microM) or TQ (5microM, 10microM, 50microM) for 24, 48, and 72 hour durations. Cell viability was assessed by cell number and cellular morphology. Cellular glutathione levels and IL-1ss levels were evaluated to determine cellular function. EGCG at the concentrations tested did not result in changes in cell number with time and the values remained similar to control values. Significant decreases in cell count data along with alterations in cellular morphology were observed in the TQ treated group for the duration of the study. Medium and high doses of EGCG were effective in increasing intracellular glutathione, while varying concentrations of TQ did not significantly change intracellular glutathione levels. In both treatment groups, IL-1ss was increased in the high dose treatment. The results indicate that higher concentrations of an antioxidant may not be beneficial and may initiate a reactive cellular process.