Suaeda japonica Makino Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuro-Inflammatory Responses in BV-2 Microglia via NF-kappa B Signaling

Hyun Kang^1,3†, Sushruta Koppula^{1 †}, Hoi- Ki Kim² and Tae-Kyu Park^1*

¹Department of Biotechnology , Research Institute for Biomedical & Health Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, 380-701, ²Fanipin Korea Co, Ltd, Ochang 208-211, ³KuGen Healthcare Institute, Chungju, 380-150, Republic of Korea

*For correspondence: Email: tkpark@kku.ac.kr; Tel: 82-43-840-3870; Fax: 82-43-852-3616   

Received:  18 April 2013                                                                         Revised accepted: 23 May 2013

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June 2013; 12(3): 341-356

Purpose: To evaluate in vitro anti-oxidant and anti-neuro-inflammatory activities of Suaeda japonica extract (SJE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells.

Methods:  1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay was used to study the antioxidant effects. 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5- diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to study cell viabilities. LPS-stimulated BV- microglial cells were used to study the gene expression and production of inflammatory mediators determined by Western blot analysis.

Results: SJE significantly inhibited the DPPH generated free radicals, and suppressed LPS-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO) in a concentration-dependent manner. It decreased LPS-induced expression of some inflammatory mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines (cyclooxygenase-2 and interleukin (IL)-6). This suppression of inflammatory mediators was nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-dependent.

Conclusion: Our findings imply that SJE may be a potential therapeutic agent in regulating microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory responses observed in several neurodegenerative diseases.