Schisandrin B and Alantolactone ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

Abstract

Abstract Schisandrin B (Sch-B) and Alantolactone (ALT) are two distinct molecules each of which could be extracted from herbs Schisandra chinensis and Inula helenium, respectively, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have revealed that both molecules impact STAT3, Nrf2 and Smad-mediated signaling pathways, and that Sch-B has protective effects in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis models. However, besides a single paper studying Sch-B’s impact on murine Th17/Treg balance, the effects of Sch-B and ALT on human and murine Th17/Treg cells’ ontogeny and functions have not been investigated. In this study, we demonstrated that every other day administration of Sch-B or ALT during induction phase of myelin oligodendrocyte (MOG)35–55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) dramatically and significantly reduced EAE disease scores, demyelination, disease incidence, and infiltration of leukocytes into central nervous system, particularly IFN-γ+, IL-17+, GM-CSF+ T cells in C57BL/6 mice. Protection from disease correlated with elevated Treg and IL-10 levels. To our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating a prophylactic benefit for Sch B and ALT in a Multiple Sclerosis model and our results warrant further studies as to the use of both molecules after disease onset and mechanism of action.