In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidative Stress, and Anti-Apoptosis Effect of 7-Octenoic Acid Derived from Moringa oleifera Lam., on LPS-Induced Monocyte-Derived Macrophages (MDM)

While <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Lam. (MO) extracts are known to have various bioactive properties, including anti-inflammatory properties, the components responsible still remain to be identified. This study explores the protective effects of the MO component, 7-octenoic acid (7OCT) in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophage inflammatory responses. The compound significantly downregulated the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, as well as the expression of inflammation-related genes <i>NFKB1</i>, <i>PTGS2</i>, and <i>NOS2</i>. Additionally, it inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65, a key transcription factor of inflammatory signaling cascade. Effects on oxidative stress showed that 7OCT inhibited LPS-induced NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) component genes including <i>CYBB</i>, <i>CYBA</i>, <i>NCF1</i>, <i>NCF2</i>, and <i>NFE2L2</i>, along with phosphorylated NOX2 and p47^phox proteins. The compound reduced the expression of <i>TP53</i>, <i>BAX</i>, <i>CASP3</i>, and <i>CASP7</i>, while enhancing <i>BCL2</i> expression and Bcl-2 protein levels, suggesting an effect on apoptosis. Decreased levels of BAX, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 proteins further confirmed its anti-apoptotic effect. Our findings suggest that 7OCT exhibits strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties.