Abstract
Estrogen deficiency has been well characterized in inflammatory disorders including neuroinflammation. Daidzein, a dietary alternative phytoestrogen found in soy (Glycine max) as primary isoflavones, possess anti-inflammatory activity, but the effect of its active metabolite Equol (7-hydroxy-3-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman) has not been well established. In this study, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effect of Equol in vitro. To evaluate the potential effects of Equol, three major types of central nervous system (CNS) cells, including microglia (BV-2), astrocytes (C6), and neurons (N2a), were used. Effects of Equol on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling proteins, and apoptosis-related proteins were measured by western blot analysis. Equol inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TLR4 activation, MAPK activation, NF-kB-mediated transcription of inflammatory mediators, production of nitric oxide (NO), release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2), secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine microglia cells. Additionally, Equol protects neurons from neuroinflammatory injury mediated by LPS-activated microglia through downregulation of neuronal apoptosis, increased neurite outgrowth in N2a cell and neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) production through astrocytes further supporting its neuroprotective potential. These findings provide novel insight into the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Equol on microglial cells, which may have clinical significance in cases of neurodegeneration.
Highlights
Nutraceuticals may be foods or nutrients that provide health benefits, including the prevention or treatment of a disease [1]
An Effect increase in nitric oxide (NO) and production has been toinbeLPS‐Stimulated a biomarkerBV‐2 for inflammation, especially
An increase in NO production has been believed to be a biomarker for inflammation, especially its derivative includingand
Summary
Nutraceuticals may be foods or nutrients that provide health benefits, including the prevention or treatment of a disease [1] Nutraceuticals and their active metabolites have been reported to possess a variety of biological activities [2]. Among those dietary foods that have pharmacologically active metabolites, soybean (Glycine max L.), which is commonly consumed in traditional Asian food, is a major source of oil and protein in the human and animal diet [4]. It is one of the natural substitutes for the treatment of a variety of hormone-dependent and independent disorders in humans [5]. Ma W et al suggested that Genistein may possess neuroprotective properties through its anti-inflammatory activity [12]
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