Figure 2.

Maltol decreased the IL‐1β–induced inflammatory cytokines. The cells were pre‐treated with Maltol (20, 40 and 60 μM) before the IL‐1β irritation. The expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐6, COX‐2 and iNOS in mRNA levels were assessed by the RT‐PCR (A, B). The protein level and quantification analysis of COX‐2 and iNOS were evaluated by Western blotting (C, D). The protein level of TNF‐α, IL‐6, NO and PGE2 was assessed by ELISA analysis (E, F). Data represented are the mean values ± SD^## P < .01, vs control group; **P < .01, vs IL‐1β–alone treatment group, n = 5