Decursin attenuates the amyloid-β-induced inflammatory response in PC12 cells via MAPK and nuclear factor-κB pathway

Decursin, the major bioactive component of Angelica gigas Nakai, exhibited neuroprotective properties. Our previous studies showed that decursin conferred neuroprotective effects in PC12 cells induced by Amyloid-β (Aβ)_25-35 via antiapoptosis and antioxidant. In this study, the antiinflammatory effects of decursin against PC12 cells injury stimulated by Aβ_25-35 were assessed. Our results demonstrated that decursin suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 protein and prostaglandin E2 content which was stimulated by Aβ_25-35 in PC12 cells. Meanwhile, the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB in Aβ_25-35 -treated PC12 cells was also inhibited by decursin. In addition, decursin suppressed phosphorylation of the two upstream pathway kinases, p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Overall, our findings indicate that decursin exerts protective effects against neuroinflammation stimulated by Aβ_25-35 in PC12 cells by abolishing cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression through inactivation of nuclear factor-κB via the upstream kinases including p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. This work provides a new insight into the pharmacological mode of decursin and should facilitate its therapeutic application in treatment of inflammatory disorders.