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Neuroprotective effects of natural compounds on LPS-induced inflammatory responses in microglia
1Translational Medicine Centre, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an 710054, Shaanxi, China.
Abstract:
Neuroinflammation is one of the main mechanisms involved in the progression of neurodegeneration. The activation of microglia is the main feature of neuroinflammation, promoting the release of neurotoxic molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines and resulting in the progressive neuronal cell death. Thus, suppression of the over-activation of microglia using novel pharmacological agents is an attractive issue to alleviate the neuroinflammatory processes associated with neurodegeneration. In recent years, medicinal plants-derived natural compounds have received extensive attention as useful sources of new neuroprotective agents for treating neurological disorders. In this review, we summarized the detailed research progress on the natural compounds derived from medicinal plants with potential anti-inflammatory effects and their molecular mechanisms on modulating the LPS-induced inflammatory responses in microglia. The natural compounds that efficacious in inhibiting the microglia activation include flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids, quinones, alkaloids, lignans, coumarins, chalcone, stilbene and others (biphenyl, phenylpropanoid, oxy carotenoid). They can reduce the expression of neurotoxic mediators (NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β), down-regulate inflammatory markers and prevent neural damage. They exert anti-neuroinflammatory effects by modulating relevant signaling pathways (NF-κB, MAPKs, Nrf2/HO-1, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT) as demonstrated by experimental data. The present work reviews the role of microglia activation in neuroinflammation, highlighting the potential anti-inflammatory effects of natural compounds as a promising approach to develop innovative neuroprotective strategy.
Insights
Natural compounds from medicinal plants can suppress overactive microglia, a key factor in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These compounds offer a promising strategy for developing new neuroprotective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Neuroinflammation, driven by microglia activation, significantly contributes to neurodegeneration.
- Overactivated microglia release neurotoxic molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to neuronal cell death.
- Developing novel pharmacological agents to suppress microglia over-activation is crucial for neuroprotection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on natural compounds from medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory effects.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these compounds modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial inflammatory responses.
- To highlight the potential of these natural compounds as neuroprotective agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on natural compounds and their effects on microglia.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms, including modulation of signaling pathways and inflammatory mediators.
- Summarization of experimental data demonstrating anti-neuroinflammatory effects.
Main Results:
- Various natural compounds (flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, etc.) effectively inhibit microglia activation.
- These compounds reduce neurotoxic mediators (e.g., NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β).
- Mechanisms involve modulating key signaling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPKs, Nrf2/HO-1, PI3K/Akt, and JAK/STAT.
Conclusions:
- Natural compounds derived from medicinal plants show significant potential in mitigating neuroinflammation.
- These compounds offer a promising avenue for developing innovative neuroprotective strategies against neurodegenerative diseases.
- Targeting microglia activation with natural products represents a viable approach for future therapeutic development.
