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Natural Inhibitors on Over-Activation of Microglia from Herbals

Zisong Bai1,2, Gang Chen1, Wei Li3

  • 1School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University.

Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|July 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Chronic microglial over-activation drives neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Natural compounds from traditional herbs, including flavonoids and lignans, show promise in inhibiting this over-activation and its harmful effects.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Microglial cells are key players in neuroinflammation, a process implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • While short-term microglial activation can be protective, chronic activation leads to neuronal damage via cytotoxic substances like TNF-α and NO.
  • Inhibiting microglial over-activation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review research on natural inhibitors of over-activated microglia.
  • To explore the potential of traditional herbal compounds in managing neuroinflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of continuous research on natural compounds.
  • Identification of specific classes of natural inhibitors: flavonoids, lignans, sesquiterpene coumarins, and stilbenes.

Main Results:

  • Natural compounds from traditional herbs possess inhibitory effects on over-activated microglia.
  • Specific compound classes like flavonoids and lignans are highlighted for their potential.

Conclusions:

  • Natural inhibitors from traditional herbs offer a promising therapeutic avenue for neuroinflammation.
  • Targeting microglial over-activation and associated cytotoxic mediators is a viable approach for neurodegenerative disease treatment.
Keywords:
flavonoidmicroglianatural neuroinflammatory inhibitorneurodegenerative diseaseneuroinflammationsesquiterpene coumarin

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