scholarly journals Analgesic and Antidepressant Effects of Oltipraz on Neuropathic Pain in Mice by Modulating Microglial Activation

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Felipe Díaz ◽  
Sara Polo ◽  
Núria Gallardo ◽  
Sergi Leánez ◽  
Olga Pol

Nerve injury provokes microglial activation, contributing to the sensory and emotional disorders associated with neuropathic pain that do not completely resolve with treatment. In C57BL/6J mice with neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), we evaluated the effects of oltipraz, an antioxidant and anticancer compound, on (1) allodynia and hyperalgesia, (2) microglial activation and pain signaling pathways, (3) oxidative stress, and (4) depressive-like behaviors. Twenty-eight days after surgery, we assessed the effects of oltipraz on the expression of CD11b/c (a microglial marker), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/ phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor, and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the spinal cord, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Our results show that oltipraz alleviates neuropathic pain by inhibiting microglial activation and PI3K/p-Akt, phosphorylated inhibitor of κBα (p-IκBα), and MAPK overexpression, and by normalizing and/or enhancing the expression of antioxidant proteins, nuclear factor erythroid derived-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in the spinal cord. The inhibition of microglial activation and induction of the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and/or prefrontal cortex may explain the antidepressant effects of oltipraz during neuropathic pain. These data demonstrate the analgesic and antidepressant effects of oltipraz and reveal its protective and antioxidant properties during chronic pain.

2021 ◽  
pp. 154596832110112
Author(s):  
Wenlong Jin ◽  
Benson O. A. Botchway ◽  
Xuehong Liu

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event that often leads to permanent neurological deficits. Evidence from emerging studies has implicated oxygen-derived free radicals and high-energy oxidants as mediators of secondary SCI. Therefore, targeting these mediators using antioxidants could be beneficial for the disease. Several signaling pathways, such as the nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1), have been associated with the regulation of some pathophysiological features of SCI. Curcumin is a plant medicinal agent whose diverse pharmacological properties have been extensively investigated and reported, notably its ability to curtail inflammatory damage by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. In this review, we analyze the role of curcumin in activating Nrf2/HO-1 and scavenging free radicals to repair SCI. With its minimal side effects, curcumin could be a potential therapy for SCI treatment.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalita Subedi ◽  
Jae Lee ◽  
Silvia Yumnam ◽  
Eunhee Ji ◽  
Sun Kim

Sulforaphane (SFN), a potent nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator, is present in the species of the Brassicaceae, especially in broccoli sprouts. In this study, the effects of SFN against microglial activation and inflammation, and the potential mechanisms involved, were analyzed. As mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a key role in microglial activation and inflammation, we focused on the role of SFN in regulating the MAPK signaling regulation of the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cascades in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated microglia. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of SFN were explored by evaluating the expression and secretion of inflammatory proteins, cytokines, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and activator protein-1 (AP-1) under pre- and post-treatment conditions. Under the SFN pre- and post-treatment conditions, the MAPK phosphorylation levels were significantly reduced in both acutely and chronically activated microglial cells. SFN also reduced the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation levels, which subsequently reduced NF-κB and AP-1 signaling. As a result, the expression of the inflammatory mediators (iNOS, COX-2, NO, and PGE2) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) was decreased. At the same time, SFN increased the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as well as the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that SFN exerts an anti-neuroinflammatory effect on microglia through JNK/AP-1/NF-κB pathway inhibition and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 1389-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Lv ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Naiken Mai ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  

Geraniol, a plant-derived monoterpene, has been extensively studied and showed a wide variety of beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of geraniol on functional recovery and neuropathic pain in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Rats received a clip-compression SCI and were treated with geraniol 6 h following SCI. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol markedly improved locomotor function, and reduced sensitivity to the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol increased NeuN-positive cells, suppressed expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, and reduced activity of caspase-3 in the injured region. Treatment of SCI rats with geraniol reduced levels of malondialdehyde and 3-nitrotyrosine, upregulated protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase 1, and suppressed expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the injured region. In addition, treatment of SCI rats with geraniol downregulated protein expression of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 1 and reduced the number of CD68-positive cells and protein levels of TNF-α in the injured region. In conclusion, geraniol significantly promoted the recovery of neuronal function and attenuated neuropathic pain after SCI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-138
Author(s):  
Wenyu Chen ◽  
Hui He

Trilobatin is a natural plant-derived glycosylated flavonoid that has been shown to exhibit multiple beneficial pharmacologic activities including protection of heart against H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying protection from H/R-induced cardiomyocyte injury remain unknown. Using H9C2 cells as a model, we examined the effect of trilobatin on H/R-induced cellular injury, apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species. The results showed that trilobatin protected H9C2 cells not only from cell death and apoptosis, but also counteracted H/R-induced changes in malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase. The evaluation of the mechanism underlying the effect of trilobatin on protection from H/R-induced cellular injury suggested changes in the regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5657
Author(s):  
Seounghun Lee ◽  
Hyo-Jung Shin ◽  
Chan Noh ◽  
Song-I Kim ◽  
Young-Kwon Ko ◽  
...  

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in microglia plays a decisive role in the progress of neuropathic pain, and the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) is a protein that blocks the activation of NF-κB and is degraded by the inhibitor of NF-κB kinase subunit beta (IKBKB). The role of IKBKB is to break down IκB, which blocks the activity of NF-kB. Therefore, it prevents the activity of NK-kB. This study investigated whether neuropathic pain can be reduced in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats by reducing the activity of microglia by delivering IKBKB small interfering RNA (siRNA)-encapsulated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. PLGA nanoparticles, as a carrier for the delivery of IKBKB genes silencer, were used because they have shown potential to enhance microglial targeting. SNL rats were injected with IKBKB siRNA-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles intrathecally for behavioral tests on pain response. IKBKB siRNA was delivered for suppressing the expression of IKBKB. In rats injected with IKBKB siRNA-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles, allodynia caused by mechanical stimulation was reduced, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators due to NF-κB was reduced. Delivering IKBKB siRNA through PLGA nanoparticles can effectively control the inflammatory response and is worth studying as a treatment for neuropathic pain.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ding-Chao Zhu ◽  
Yi-Han Wang ◽  
Jia-Hao Lin ◽  
Zhi-Min Miao ◽  
Jia-Jing Xu ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Currently, there is hardly any effective treatment for OA due to its complicated pathology and...


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1026
Author(s):  
Ji-Eun Kim ◽  
Hana Park ◽  
Tae-Cheon Kang

2-Cyano-3,12-dioxo-oleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me) is a triterpenoid analogue of oleanolic acid. CDDO-Me shows anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, CDDO-Me has antioxidant properties, since it activates nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is a key player of redox homeostasis. In the present study, we evaluated whether CDDO-Me affects astroglial responses to status epilepticus (SE, a prolonged seizure activity) in the rat hippocampus in order to understand the underlying mechanisms of reactive astrogliosis and astroglial apoptosis. Under physiological conditions, CDDO-Me increased Nrf2 expression in the hippocampus without altering activities (phosphorylations) of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), and AKT. CDDO-Me did not affect seizure activity in response to pilocarpine. However, CDDO-Me ameliorated reduced astroglial Nrf2 expression in the CA1 region and the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (ML), and attenuated reactive astrogliosis and ML astroglial apoptosis following SE. In CA1 astrocytes, CDDO-Me inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway by activating PTEN. In contrast, CDDO-ME resulted in extracellular signal-related kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated Nrf2 upregulation in ML astrocytes. Furthermore, CDDO-Me decreased nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) phosphorylation in both CA1 and ML astrocytes. Therefore, our findings suggest that CDDO-Me may attenuate SE-induced reactive astrogliosis and astroglial apoptosis via regulation of ERK1/2-Nrf2, PTEN-PI3K-AKT, and NFκB signaling pathways.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 856
Author(s):  
Eui-Jeong Han ◽  
Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura Fernando ◽  
Hyun-Soo Kim ◽  
Dae-Sung Lee ◽  
Areum Kim ◽  
...  

The present study evaluated the effects of (–)-loliolide isolated from Sargassum horneri (S. horneri) against oxidative stress and inflammation, and its biological mechanism in interferon (IFN)-γ/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. The results showed that (–)-loliolide improved the cell viability by reducing the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in IFN-γ/TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, (–)-loliolide effectively decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4 IL-6, IL-13, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and chemokines (CCL11 (Eotaxin), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)), by downregulating the expression of epidermal-derived initial cytokines (IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)). Furthermore, (–)-loliolide suppressed the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling, whereas it activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling. Interestingly, the cytoprotective effects of (–)-loliolide against IFN-γ/TNF-α stimulation were significantly blocked upon inhibition of HO-1. Taken together, these results suggest that (–)-loliolide effectively suppressed the oxidative stress and inflammation by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in IFN-γ/TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4711
Author(s):  
Woo Jin Lee ◽  
Wan Yi Li ◽  
Sang Woo Lee ◽  
Sung Keun Jung

Until now, the physiological effects of Soroseris hirsuta were primarily unknown. Here we have evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Soroseris hirsuta extract (SHE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophages RAW 264.7 cells. SHE inhibited nitric oxide expression and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 cells treated with LPS. Moreover, SHE suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of IκB kinase, inhibitor of kappa B, p65, p38, and c-JUN N-terminal kinase. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that SHE suppressed p65 nuclear translocation induced by LPS. Furthermore, SHE inhibited the reactive oxygen species in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. SHE significantly increased heme oxygenase-1 expression and the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. SHE suppressed LPS-induced interleukin-1β mRNA expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Thus, SHE is a promising nutraceutical as it displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Sik Choi ◽  
Yun Jung Lee ◽  
Chang Seob Seo ◽  
Jung Joo Yoon ◽  
Byung Hyuk Han ◽  
...  

Samul-Tang (Si-Wu-Tang, SMT), composed of four medicinal herbs, is a well-known herbal formula treating hematological disorder or gynecologic disease. However, vascular protective effects of SMT and its molecular mechanisms on the vascular endothelium, known as the central spot of vascular inflammatory process, are not reported. The aim of this study was to investigate vascular protective effects of SMT water extract in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Water extract of SMT was prepared and identified by HPLC-PDA analysis. Expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were determined by western blot. Nuclear localization of NF-κB and Nrf2 was visualized by immunofluorescence and DNA binding activity of NF-κB was measured. ROS production, HL-60 monocyte adhesion, and intracellular nitric oxide (NO) were also measured using a fluorescent indicator. SMT suppressed NF-κB translocation and activation as well as expression of CAMs, monocyte adhesion, and ROS production induced by TNF-αin HUVECs. SMT treated HUVECs showed upregulation of HO-1 and NO which are responsible for vascular protective action. Our study suggests that SMT, a traditionally used herbal formula, protects the vascular endothelium from inflammation and might be used as a promising vascular protective drug.


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