Neuroprotective effect of wogonin: potential roles of inflammatory cytokines.

Abstract

Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone), an active component originated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of wogonin in a focal cerebral ischemia rat model. Wogonin markedly reduced the infarct volume after 2 h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 22 h reperfusion. Wogonin decreased the production of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 in lipopolisaccharide-stimulated microglial cells. While wogonin reduced the activity of NF-kappaB, it did not change the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases family members, p38, ERK and JNK. The lipopolisaccharide-stimulated production of NO and cytokines was significantly blocked by various kinds of NF-kappaB inhibitors such as N-acetyl cysteine, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and MG-132. The data may indicate that wogonin has neuroprotective effect by preventing the overactivation of microglial cells, possibly by inactivating NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

• Authors: Hua Zi Piao, Shun Ai Jin, Hyang Sook Chun, Jae-Chul Lee, Won-Ki Kim
• Journal: Archives of pharmacal research (Arch Pharm Res) Vol. 27 Issue 9 Pg. 930-6 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 0253-6269 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 15473663 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Flavanones
• Inflammation Mediators
• Neuroprotective Agents
• wogonin

Topics

• Animals
• Brain Ischemia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytokines (antagonists & inhibitors, physiology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Flavanones (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Inflammation Mediators (antagonists & inhibitors, physiology)
• Male
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley