Oxymatrine exhibits anti-neuroinflammatory effects on Aβ1–42-induced primary microglia cells by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

Abstract

Oxymatrine (OMT), isolated from Sophora flavescens or Sophora alopecuroides, possesses various pharmacological and biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-diabetic properties. Microglia cells, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the neuroinflammatory effects of OMT and its mechanisms were investigated by Aβ1–42-induced rat brain tissue model and primary microglia cells model. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry results showed that OMT could reduce neuronal damage and inhibit microglia activation in the model tissue. The in vitro experiments revealed that OMT could decrease the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO), and down-regulate the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, OMT inhibited phosphorylation of JNK, ERK 1/2, P-p38 and NF-κB in Aβ1–42-induced microglia cells. In summary, OMT exhibits anti-neuroinflammatory effects and the anti-inflammatory activity of OMT is related to the regulation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.