Dietary Supplement With Tribulus terrestris L. Extract Exhibits Protective Effects on Neuroinflammation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Herbal Medicine

Background:

• Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) is a widely used herbal supplement.
• Neuroinflammation is implicated in various neurological disorders.
• Identifying natural compounds for neuroinflammation management is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the anti-neuroinflammatory activity and mechanisms of an active fraction from TT (TTAI).
• To evaluate TTAI's potential as a dietary supplement for neuroinflammation.
• To uncover the molecular pathways targeted by TTAI.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of anti-neuroinflammatory active fraction (TTAI) from TT.
• In vitro evaluation using BV-2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
• Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and ELISA for inflammatory markers.
• Metabolomics and transcriptomics for pathway and target identification.

Main Results:

• TTAI significantly reduced LPS-induced inflammatory factors and increased anti-inflammatory factors in BV-2 cells.
• TTAI reversed 40 metabolic biomarkers and regulated 235 genes, including Ptgs1, Pla2g7, and Plin2.
• Potential mechanisms involve PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• TTAI demonstrates significant anti-neuroinflammatory properties.
• The study elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying TTAI's efficacy.
• TTAI shows promise as a dietary supplement and for potential medicinal applications in neuroinflammation.