Artesunate Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Proinflammatory Responses by Suppressing TLR4, MyD88 Expression, and NF-κB Activation in Microglial Cells

Inflammation. 2015 Oct;38(5):1925-32. doi: 10.1007/s10753-015-0172-7.

Abstract

Microglia are considered as a major target in the prevention of neuroinflammation by modulating the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Artesunate, a water-soluble artemisinin derivative, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we showed artesunate dose-dependently suppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) in BV2 microglial cells. In addition, artesunate inhibited LPS-induced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) by blockade of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) degradation. This data indicate that artesunate attenuates the generation of proinflammatory mediators on LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. And this effect may be associated with the suppression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways. Therefore, artesunate may be a potential anti-neuroinflammatory agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artemisinins / pharmacology*
  • Artesunate
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Microglia / drug effects
  • Microglia / metabolism*
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Artemisinins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Myd88 protein, mouse
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Artesunate