Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone of the germacranolide class which occurs naturally in the plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), after which it is named. It is found in highest concentration in the flowers and fruit. Feverfew is used in herbalism and is purportedly useful for a variety of ailments.Parthenolide (PTN), a selective nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibitor, has been used extensively to inhibit NF-κB activation. The duration of the inhibitory effect of PTN on NF-κB in vivo remains unclear. This study was to determine whether a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge 6, 12 and 24 h after the administration of PTN could activate NF-κB. Rats were devided into five groups. The rats in the PTN, PTN+LPS and DMSO groups were injected intraperitoneally with PTN or DMSO. After 6, 12 or 24 h, LPS was administered in LPS and PTN+LPS groups.
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