Neuroprotective effect of wogonin: potential roles of inflammatory cytokines.
Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), an active component originated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of wogonin in a focal cerebral ischemia rat model. Wogonin markedly reduced the infarct volume after 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 22 h reperfusion. Wogonin decreased the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 in lipopolisaccharide-stimulated microglial cells. While wogonin reduced the activity of NF-kappaB, it did not change the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases family members, p38, ERK and JNK. The lipopolisaccharide-stimulated production of NO and cytokines was significantly blocked by various kinds of NF-kappaB inhibitors such as N-acetyl cysteine, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and MG-132. The data may indicate that wogonin has neuroprotective effect by preventing the overactivation of microglial cells, possibly by inactivating NF-kappaB signaling pathway.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Ewha Institute of Neuroscience, Ewha Womens University, Seoul, Korea.
Hua Zi
HZ
Piao
Shun Ai
SA
Jin
Hyang Sook
HS
Chun
Jae-Chul
JC
Lee
Won-Ki
WK
Kim
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D016207:Cytokines; D044950:Flavanones; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C085514:wogonin