The Effects of Carbenoxolone against Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in a Mouse Model

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex demyelinating disease involving central nervous system (CNS). It is still a challenge to secure an effective therapeutic strategy against this disease. Carbenoxolone (CBX) is a derivative of glycyrrhetinic acid, which is widely used in brain research for its gap-junction inhibition effects. Many researchers have observed CBX-mediated suppression of CNS inflammation in their studies. Objective: We want to further examine its anti-inflammation effects in CNS demyelinating disease like MS. Methods: Thus, our study applied an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model and examined the effects of CBX on it. Results and Conclusions: We found that CBX significantly reversed the EAE severity and pathology in EAE. IL-17-secreting and IFN-γ-secreting CD4+ T lymphocytes were remarkably lower in the spleen of CBX-treated mice. Production of IL-23 and IL-17 from cortex in EAE animals was markedly reduced by CBX. Furthermore, CBX treatment increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. This study provides evidence for the protective role of CBX against EAE.