Paeonol attenuates inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity and microglial activation

• Published in: Neural regeneration research 2013-06, Vol.8 (16), p.1637-1643
• Main Authors: Nam, Kyong, Woo, Byung-Cheol, Sang-Kwan, Moon, Park, Seong-Uk, Joo-young, Park, Jae-Woong Hwang, Bae, Hyung-Sup, Chang-Nam, Ko, Lee, Eunjoo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Cell culture; Cytokines; Disease; Drug dosages; Inflammation; Ischemia; Kinases; Nervous system; Neuropathology; Neurotoxicity; Nitric oxide; Polyphenols; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 1673-5374; 1876-7958

Chronic activation of microglial cells endangers neuronal survival through the release of various proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors. The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall has been considered useful for the treatment of various disorders in traditional oriental medicine. Paeonol, found in the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, has a wide range of pharmacological functions, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of paeonol in the repression of inflammation-induced neurotoxicity and microglial cell activation. Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures and primary microglial cells from rat brain were stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Paeonol pretreatment was performed for 30 minutes prior to lipopolysaccharide addition. Cell viability and nitrite (the production of nitric oxide), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta products were measured after lipopolysaccharide treatment. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, paeonol blocked lipopolysaccharide-related hippocampal cell death and inhibited the release of nitrite and interleukin-1beta. Paeonol was effective in inhibiting nitric oxide release from primary microglial cells. It also reduced the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1β from microglial cells. Paeonol possesses neuroprotective activity in a model of inflammation-induced neurotoxicity and reduces the release of neurotoxic and proinflammatory factors in activated microglial cells. Research Highlights (1) Inflammation and oxidative stress are pathological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. (2) Anti-inflammatory treatment is a new strategy for improving the prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases. (3) In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, paeonol blocked lipopolysaccharide-induced hippocampal neuronal death and release of proinflammatory mediators. (4) Paeonol possesses neuroprotective activity in a model of inflammation-induced neurotoxicity and reduces the release of neurotoxic and proinflammatory factors in activated microglial cells.