INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2023
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IF 5.6
Zhehuan Wang,Huiru Zhang,Caihong Qi,Hui Guo,Xiangyue Jiao,Jia Yan,Yifei Wang,Qiangsheng Li,Mingming Zhao,Xinhao Guo,Baoluo Wan,Xiaotian Li
Background Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpenoid compound found in natural plants. It has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. However, its role in atopic dermatitis (AD) is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of UA in AD mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Balb/c mice were treated with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce AD-like lesions. During modeling and medication administration, dermatitis scores and ear thickness were measured. Subsequently, histopathological changes, levels of T helper cytokines, and oxidative stress markers levels were evaluated. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to assess changes in the expression of the nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) and NF erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Furthermore, CCK8 assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, real-time PCR, and western blotting were employed to evaluate the effects of UA on ROS levels, inflammatory mediator production, and the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Results The results showed that UA significantly reduced dermatitis score and ear thickness, effectively inhibited skin proliferation and mast cell infiltration in AD mice, and decreased the expression level of T helper cytokines. Meanwhile, UA improved oxidative stress in AD mice by regulating lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, UA inhibited ROS accumulation and chemokine secretion in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. It might exert anti-dermatitis effects by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusion Taken together, our results suggest that UA may have potential therapeutic effects on AD and could be further studied as a promising drug for AD treatment.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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皮肤科
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PLACENTA
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2025
·
IF 2.5
Caiqun Huang,E Fen Cheng,Jinping Ni,Ying Lyu
Introduction Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) involves multifactorial etiologies, with regulatory T cells (Tregs) playing a pivotal role in maintaining immune tolerance during pregnancy. Baicalein, a flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis, exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This study evaluates baicalein's therapeutic potential in mitigating URSA via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Methods A URSA mouse model was used, and baicalein was administered intraperitoneally. Pregnancy outcomes, abortion rates, and placental morphology were assessed on gestational day 14 (G14). Treg cells were quantified via flow cytometry, and gene/protein expression levels were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR. In vitro experiments on ihESCs further investigated the role of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Results Baicalein reduced abortion rates from 33.3 % in URSA mice to 21.6 % (low dose) and 14.8 % (high dose), improved embryonic development by altering placental structure and decidual morphology, and reduced inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. It expanded Treg cells and enhanced the expression of IGFBP-1 and PRL, markers of endometrial decidualization, and decreased TLR4, p-P65, and P65 expression. In vitro, baicalein's effects were abrogated by TLR4 inhibition, confirming pathway specificity. Discussion Baicalein improved pregnancy outcomes by enhancing Treg function and promoting decidualization via TLR4/NF-κB pathway inhibition. These findings highlight baicalein's potential as a therapeutic agent for URSA.
研究领域:
生殖医学
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免疫学
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药理学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Journal of Immunology Research
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2021
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IF 4.818
Lin Zhang,Lukun Yang,Xiaowei Xie,Hongyue Zheng,Hangsheng Zheng,Lizong Zhang,Cuizhe Liu,Ji-Gang Piao,Fanzhu Li
Baicalin (BA) magnesium salt (BA-Mg) is a good water-soluble ingredient extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. This study is aimed at investigating whether BA-Mg could exert a better protective effect on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and illuminate the underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Mice were intraperitoneally administrated with equimolar BA-Mg, BA, and MgSO4 before LPS inducing ALI. Lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected for lung wet/dry ratio, histological examinations, cell counts, and biochemical analyses at 48 h post-LPS exposure. Meanwhile, the protein expressions of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and proinflammatory cytokines in lung tissues and lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were detected. The results showed BA-Mg pronouncedly ameliorated LPS-induced inflammatory response and histopathological damages, elevated antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD), and downregulated myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) levels through the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation. Moreover, the effect of BA-Mg was significantly better than that of BA and MgSO4 in ameliorating symptoms. Overall, BA-Mg can effectively relieve inflammatory response and oxidative stress triggered by LPS, indicating it may be a potential therapeutic candidate for treating ALI.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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肺病学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Foods
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2025
·Vol. 14
·期 7
·1270
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IF 5.1
Jiali Tang,Mengyao Zhang,Jiaying Wang,Haijing Zhang,Zhong Wang,Ziteng Lei,Chengtao Wang,Wei Chen
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including genetics, environmental, and gut microbiota. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of the natural polyphenolic compound hydroxytyrosol (HT) in modulating dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The findings demonstrate that oral administration of HT significantly alleviated colitis symptoms, as evidenced by a reduction in the disease activity index and improvements in colonic pathology. HT was found to inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhance antioxidant status, and mitigate oxidative stress. Furthermore, HT contributed to the restoration of the gut barrier by reinstating tight junction proteins, reducing the inflammatory marker lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and suppressing inflammation-related genes. This compound also modulated the NLRP3-Cas-1-GSDMD-IL-1β inflammatory pathway and inhibited the NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) pathway, thereby alleviating colitis. Gut microbial analysis revealed that HT enriched the abundance of Bacteroidota and altered the balance between Bacteroidota and Firmicutes in mice. Correlation analysis between bacterial microbiota and inflammatory factors suggested that HT may alleviate colitis by modulating the relative abundance of Alistipes , Bacteroides , and unclassified_f__ Muribaculaceae . These findings underscore the potential of HT as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of colitis.
研究领域:
免疫学
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消化病学
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微生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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2022
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IF 6.064
Ding Qiteng,Liu Wencong,Liu Xinglong,Ding Chuanbo,Zhao Yingchun,Dong Ling,Chen Huiying,Sun Shuwen,Zhang Yiwen,Zhang Jinping,Wu Ming
Taxifolin (TAX) is a hepatoprotective flavanol compound, which is severely limited by poor solubility and low bioavailability. Liposomes (Lips) are used as well-recognized drug carrier systems that improve the water solubility and bioavailability of drugs, but are easily damaged by gastric juice after oral administration, resulting in the release of drugs in the gastric juice. Therefore, it is important to find materials that modify liposomes and avoid the destruction of the liposomal phospholipid bilayer structure by the gastrointestinal environment. Taxifolin liposomes (TAX-Lips) were modified by polyvinylpyrrolidone-k30 (PVP-TAX-Lips) and manufactured using a thin-film hydration technique. Particle size (109.27 ± 0.50 nm), zeta potential (−51.12 ± 3.79 mV), polydispersity coefficient (PDI) (0.189 ± 0.007), and EE (84.7 ± 0.2%) of PVP-TAX-Lips were studied. In addition, the results of in vitro release experiments indicated that the cumulative release rates of TAX-Lips and PVP-TAX-Lips were 89.73 ± 5.18% and 65.66 ± 4.86% in the simulated gastric fluid after 24 h, respectively, while the cumulative release rates were 68.20 ± 4.98% and 55.66 ± 3.92% in the simulated intestinal fluid after 24 h, respectively. Moreover, PVP-TAX-Lips were able to reverse lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) by inducing autophagy to inhibit the expression levels of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and inflammatory factors, which suggested that PVP-TAX-Lips played an important role in the prevention of ALI and also provided a promising drug delivery system for the application of TAX.
研究领域:
药理学
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药物递送系统
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分子生物学
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肝病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
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2021
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IF 4.432
Guanghui Xu,Huiqi Wan,Litao Yi,Wei Chen,Youhua Luo,Yiqi Huang,Xiaojuan Liu
Accumulating evidence showed that berberine possessed the anti-inflammatory action in various diseases caused by inflammation. However, it was still unclear whether both inhalation and injection with berberine produced pulmonary protective role in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of both administration routes including inhalation and injection with berberine in ARDS induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation. Histopathological examination and weight of lung were evaluated. Phosphorylation of NF-κB, JAK2 and STAT3 were measured to assess the activity of inflammation related signaling pathways. Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum were also detected. The results showed that LPS caused the lung injury, while both administration routes with berberine attenuated the injury and improved the pulmonary morphology. In addition, the primary TLR4/NF-κB and secondary JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways which were activated by LPS in lung were totally inhibited by berberine administration. Moreover, proinflammatory cytokines in both BALF and serum were decreased by berberine. Considering that molecular docking simulation indicated that berberine could bind with TLR4, the present suggested that the inhibition of the inflammation related TLR4/NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways might be involved in the pulmonary protective effect of berberine in LPS-induced ARDS.
研究领域:
药理学
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呼吸医学
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免疫学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY
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2021
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IF 2.73
Jinhui Dong,Ou Xu,Jianxing Wang,Chunguang Shan,Xiumin Ren
Objective Luteolin has an anti-allergic effect but its mechanism is not clear. This study attempted to determine the mechanisms of luteolin in rhinitis.Methods Allergic rhinitis rat model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) stimulation. Then, the rats were treated with normal saline, luteolin, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 14 days. Nasal symptoms were scored; the histopathological changes of nasal mucosa were detected by hematoxylin–eosin staining. Serum levels of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2), Th2 type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), and OVA-specific IgE (sIgE) were determined by ELISA. The expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and p65 in nasal mucosa were detected by Western blot or immunohistochemistry.Results Luteolin decreased symptom scores, specifically, the scores in control group, model group, model + 0.1 mg/kg luteolin, model + 1 mg/kg luteolin, and model + 10 mg/kg luteolin groups were 0.63 ± 0.52, 7.88 ± 0.83, 1.38 ± 0.52, 2.75 ± 0.46, and 5.00 ± 0.53, respectively. Luteolin ameliorated nasal mucosa inflammation by promoting the down-regulated levels of Th1 type cytokines, and suppressing the up-regulated levels of Th2 type cytokines, OVE-sIgE, TLR4, and p65. LPS further increased symptom scores, aggravated nasal mucosa inflammation, improved the unbalance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines, and lowered the expressions of OVE-sIgE, TLR4, and p65. Moreover, LPS reversed the effect of luteolin on allergic rhinitis rats.Conclusion Luteolin ameliorated inflammation and Th1/Th2 imbalance via regulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in allergic rhinitis rats. This study provided novel evidence that luteolin could be used as a candidate drug in allergic rhinitis treatment.
研究领域:
免疫学
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药理学
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过敏
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
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2021
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IF 6.025
Rili Hao,Yang Jiang,Feng Li,Dongxiao Sun-Waterhouse,Dapeng Li
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant that can be accumulated in organs including the spleen, thereby threatening human health. In this study, the effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, a bioactive component of honeybee propolis) on CdCl 2 -induced spleen toxicity and underlying mechanisms were examined in mice. Histological examinations revealed that CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day b.w.) could mitigate spleen damage induced by CdCl 2 (1.5 mg/kg/day b.w.) in mice. Compared to the mice treated only by CdCl 2 , CAPE administration increased the body weight while decreasing the spleen weight, spleen Cd content and spleen to body ratio of the CdCl 2 -treated mice. Western blot and ELISA tests revealed that CAPE suppressed CdCl 2 -induced inflammation (indicated by the decreases in the levels of inflammatory indictors). TUNEL and Western blot results showed that CAPE suppressed CdCl 2 -induced apoptosis through reducing the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and regulating apoptosis factors. The antagonistic effect of CAPE against CdCl 2 -induced spleen toxicity was realized by increasing miR-182–5p expression to regulate the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. Therefore, CAPE could be a food-derived spleen protector to counteract Cd-induced spleen toxicity through alleviating apoptosis and inflammation via the miR-182–5p/TLR4/NF-κB axis.
研究领域:
毒理学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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免疫学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
iScience
·
2024
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IF 4.6
Kerong Liu,Ying Gu,Xingnan Pan,Sha Chen,Jie Cheng,Le Zhang,Minkai Cao
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a distinct form of diabetes that poses a significant threat to the health of both pregnant women and fetuses. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of behenic acid (BA) on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and insulin resistance in GDM mice, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Here, we demonstrated that daily administration of 10 mg/mL BA during pregnancy effectively ameliorated abnormal glucose metabolism in GDM mice and their offspring and improved birth outcomes in the offspring. Moreover, BA promoted the proliferation of islet β cells, restored their normal function, and augmented glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells. Mechanistically, BA mitigated inflammation and insulin resistance in GDM mice by inhibiting activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our study provides compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of BA in improving GDM, suggesting its potential use as a dietary supplement for preventing and treating GDM.
研究领域:
内分泌学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Food & Function
·
2020
·Vol. 11
·期 9
·7925-7934
·
IF 4.171
Yi-Chao Du,Li Lai,Hao Zhang,Fu-Rui Zhong,Huan-Li Cheng,Bao-Lin Qian,Peng Tan,Xian-Ming Xia,Wen-Guang Fu
Acetaminophen (APAP) is one of the safest and most effective over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics and antipyretics, but excessive doses of APAP will induce hepatotoxicity with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Kaempferol (KA), a flavonoid compound derived from the medicinal and edible plant of Penthorum chinense Pursh, has been reported to exert a profound anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. In this study, we explored the protective effect and novel mechanism of KA against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The results revealed that KA pretreatment significantly reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), relieved hepatocellular damage and apoptosis, attenuated the exhaustion of glutathione (GSH) and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased the expression of antioxidative enzymes (e.g., heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1)), and thus restrained APAP-induced oxidative damage in the liver. KA suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, KA remarkably inhibited high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression as well as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation for liver protection against APAP-induced inflammatory responses and apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggested that KA could effectively protect hepatocytes from APAP hepatotoxicity through the up-regulation of HO-1 and NQO1 expression, the down-regulation of NLRP3 expression, and the inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
·
2025
·
IF 5.3
Li Lirong,Huang Rui,Li Wenwen,Yao Dengjie,Zhang Beibei,Li Mengna,Luo Shunan,Qin Yu,Zhang Wenwen
Camellia nitidissima Chi (CNC), whose main composition was gallic acid, catechin, procyanidin-gallate, apigenin-pentosyl-glucoside, vitexin, cyanidin-3-o-glucoside, myricitrin-glucoside, gallocatechin-gallate, epicatechin and rutin, posses sound anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of the alcoholic extract of CNC on dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis. CNC effectively maintained weight and colon length, and significantly ameliorated colonic histopathological damage. Furthermore, CNC mitigated colitis-induced oxidative stress and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties in UC mice by reducing levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), decreasing the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, CNC downregulated the protein expression levels of TLR4, p-NF-κBP65, and p-IκBα of the inflammation-related TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways. Validation of the molecular docking results also revealed that rutin, the most abundant compound in CNC, interacts with TLR4 and NF-κB protein mainly through hydrogen bonds. CNC also promoted the proliferation of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium while reducing the number of Enterococcus , E. coli , Bacteroides, and Peptococcus in mice to improve the intestinal environment and alleviate colitis. CNC inhibited TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways to relieve inflammation and oxidative damage on UC, is a potential development of natural medicine for UC.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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消化病学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics
·
2019
·Vol. 25
·期 5
·575-590
·
IF 3.394
Xin Jin,Ming-Yan Liu,Dong-Fang Zhang,Xin Zhong,Ke Du,Ping Qian,Wei-Fan Yao,Hua Gao,Min-Jie Wei
Summary Aims Baicalin (BAI), a flavonoid compound isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been established to have potent anti-inflammation and neuroprotective properties; however, its effects during Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment have not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BAI pretreatment on cognitive impairment and neuronal protection against microglia-induced neuroinflammation and to explore the mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammation effects. Methods To determine whether BAI plays a positive role in ameliorating the memory and cognition deficits in APP (amyloid beta precursor protein)/PS1 (presenilin-1) mice, behavioral experiments were conducted. We assessed the effects of BAI on microglial activation, the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and neuroinflammation-mediated neuron apoptosis in vivo and in vitro using Western blot, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Finally, to elucidate the anti-inflammation mechanisms underlying the effects of BAI, the protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the expression of proteins involved in the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway were measured using Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results The results indicated that BAI treatment attenuated spatial memory dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice, as assessed by the passive avoidance test and the Morris water maze test. Additionally, BAI administration effectively decreased the number of activated microglia and proinflammatory cytokines, as well as neuroinflammation-mediated neuron apoptosis, in APP/PS1 mice and LPS (lipopolysaccharides)/Aβ-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Lastly, the molecular mechanistic study revealed that BAI inhibited microglia-induced neuroinflammation via suppression of the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusion Overall, the results of the present study indicated that BAI is a promising neuroprotective compound for use in the prevention and treatment of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation during AD progression.
研究领域:
神经科学
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药理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）