Hydroxysafflor yellow A suppresses inflammatory responses of BV2 microglia after oxygen-glucose deprivation

Inflammation is a pivotal pathological progress in the development of ischemic stroke. Modulating inflammatory cytokines released by microglia is thought to be a potential strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Hydroxy-safflor yellow A (HSYA), a chemical component of the safflower yellow pigments, was reported to protect against brain injury in experimental stroke through anti-inflammation. However, the direct effect of HSYA on microglia following ischemia is unknown. This study confirmed whether HSYA could suppress inflammatory responses of BV2 microglia after oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). BV2 microglia viability after OGD with or without HSYA was measured by MTT assay, PI/Annexin staining and LDH assay. Pro-inflammatory cytokines including 1L-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, MCP-1 were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting. Activity of NF-κB and MAPK pathway were detected by western blotting. The results demonstrated that HSYA improved the viability of BV2 cells 12h after OGD with the profound dosage at 100mg/L by MTT assay. This observation was also confirmed by PI/Annexin staining and LDH assay. HSYA decreased the mRNA level of 1L-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, MCP-1 and protein level of iNOS, COX-2 in BV2 microglia 12h after OGD. OGD enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 and nuclear translocation of p65 in BV2 microglia, which was partially reserved by HSYA. Our results suggested that HSYA suppressed inflammatory responses in BV2 microglia induced by OGD, which is probably associated with the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway and phosphorylation of p38.