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Published on: July 25, 2022
Anti-inflammatory effects of glaucocalyxin B in microglia cells
Ping Gan1, Li Zhang1, Yanke Chen1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuropsychiatric Disorders & Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
Abstract:
Over-activated microglia is involved in various kinds of neurodegenerative process including Parkinson, Alzheimer and HIV dementia. Suppression of microglial over activation has emerged as a novel strategy for treatment of neuroinflammation-based neurodegeneration. In the current study, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the ent-kauranoid diterpenoids, which were isolated from the aerial parts of Rabdosia japonica (Burm. f.) var. glaucocalyx (Maxim.) Hara, were investigated in cultured microglia cells. Glaucocalyxin B (GLB), one of five ent-kauranoid diterpenoids, significantly decreased the generation of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia cells. In addition, GLB inhibited activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-activated microglia cells. Furthermore, GLB strongly induced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in BV-2 microglia cells. Finally, GLB exhibited neuroprotective effect by preventing over-activated microglia induced neurotoxicity in a microglia/neuron co-culture model. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the GLB possesses anti-nueroinflammatory activity, and might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.
Insights
Glaucocalyxin B, derived from Rabdosia japonica, reduces neuroinflammation by suppressing over-activated microglia. This compound shows potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Over-activated microglia contribute to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
- Suppressing microglial over-activation is a promising therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of ent-kauranoid diterpenoids from Rabdosia japonica.
- To evaluate Glaucocalyxin B (GLB) as a potential treatment for neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- Isolated ent-kauranoid diterpenoids from Rabdosia japonica.
- Assessed the effects of GLB on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia cells.
- Utilized a microglia/neuron co-culture model to evaluate neuroprotection.
Main Results:
- GLB significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-activated microglia.
- GLB inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
- GLB induced heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression and demonstrated neuroprotective effects against microglia-induced neurotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Glaucocalyxin B exhibits significant anti-neuroinflammatory properties.
- GLB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for neuroinflammatory diseases.
