Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important pathogenic factor for aging and related cognitive disorders. Mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways may mediate neuroinflammation...Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important pathogenic factor for aging and related cognitive disorders. Mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways may mediate neuroinflammation. Saponins from Panax japonicus are the most abundant and bioactive members in rhizomes of Panaxjaponicus, and show anti-inflammatory activity. However, it is not known whether saponin from Panaxjaponicus has an anti-inflammatory effect in the aging brain, and likewise its underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control groups (3-, 9-, 15-, and 24-month-old groups) and saponins from Panaxjaponicus-treated groups. Saponins from Panaxjaponicus-treated groups were orally administrated saponins from Panaxjaponicus at three doses of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg once daily for 6 months until the rats were 24 months old. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay results demonstrated that many microglia were activated in 24-month-old rats compared with 3- and 9-month-old rats. Expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-a, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase increased. Each dose of saponins from Panaxjaponicus visibly suppressed microglial activation in the aging rat brain, and inhibited expression levels of the above factors. Each dose of saponins from Panax japonicus markedly diminished levels of nuclear factor kappa B, IKBa, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38. These results confirm that saponins from Panaxjaponicus can mitigate neuroinflammation in the aging rat brain by inhibition of the mito- gen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81374001,81673778,81273895the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China,No.2013CFA014
文摘Neuroinflammation is recognized as an important pathogenic factor for aging and related cognitive disorders. Mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways may mediate neuroinflammation. Saponins from Panax japonicus are the most abundant and bioactive members in rhizomes of Panaxjaponicus, and show anti-inflammatory activity. However, it is not known whether saponin from Panaxjaponicus has an anti-inflammatory effect in the aging brain, and likewise its underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control groups (3-, 9-, 15-, and 24-month-old groups) and saponins from Panaxjaponicus-treated groups. Saponins from Panaxjaponicus-treated groups were orally administrated saponins from Panaxjaponicus at three doses of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg once daily for 6 months until the rats were 24 months old. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay results demonstrated that many microglia were activated in 24-month-old rats compared with 3- and 9-month-old rats. Expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-a, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase increased. Each dose of saponins from Panaxjaponicus visibly suppressed microglial activation in the aging rat brain, and inhibited expression levels of the above factors. Each dose of saponins from Panax japonicus markedly diminished levels of nuclear factor kappa B, IKBa, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38. These results confirm that saponins from Panaxjaponicus can mitigate neuroinflammation in the aging rat brain by inhibition of the mito- gen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways.