Anti-inflammatory effect of Aiouea padiformis extract via inhibition of the ATPase activity of NLRP3

Aiouea padiformis belongs to the family Lauraceae and is primarily found in tropical regions. Although other plants in this family have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, the anti-inflammatory properties of A. padiformis extract (AP) have not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of AP on the NLRP3 inflammasome and aimed to elucidate the mechanism behind these effects. AP treatment inhibited interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) secretion without affecting cell viability in J774A.1 and THP-1 cells. AP treatment had no effect on NF-κB signaling, potassium efflux, or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, all of which are associated with NLRP3 activation. However, interestingly, AP treatment significantly reduced the ATPase activity of NLRP3. To confirm whether AP functions in vivo, we used zebrafish larvae with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Confirming the results observed in cellular experiments, a decrease in the number of neutrophils was observed in zebrafish embryos following AP treatment. Our results show that AP hindered NLRP3 inflammasome assembly through ATPase activity suppression, resulting in reduced inflammation in vivo. This study demonstrates the potential of AP as a treatment for inflammatory diseases associated with NLRP3 inflammasomes.