Royal Jelly Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammation in BV-2 Microglial Cells through Modulating NF-κB and p38/JNK Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Royal jelly (RJ), a hive product with versatile pharmacological activities, has been used as a traditional functional food to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases. However, little is known about the anti-inflammatory effect of RJ in microglial cells. The aim of this study is to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of RJ in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced murine immortalized BV-2 cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells, RJ significantly inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression at mRNA and protein levels. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α was also downregulated by RJ in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, RJ protected BV-2 cells against oxidative stress by upregulating heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production. Mechanistically, we found that RJ could alleviate inflammatory response in microglia by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκBα, p38, and JNK and by inhibiting the nucleus translocation of NF-κB p65. These findings suggest that RJ might be a promising functional food to delay inflammatory progress by influencing the microglia function.

Theaflavins attenuate ethanol‑induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in gastric mucosa epithelial cells via downregulation of the mitogen‑activated protein kinase pathway

“…ERK, JNK and p38 are important proteins in MAPK pathways ( 56 ). ERK is closely associated with cell viability and proliferation, while JNK and p38 are involved in apoptotic pathways and are more readily activated by stimuli in the extracellular environment, including oxidative stress, ultraviolet irradiation, high temperatures, ischemia reperfusion and inflammatory factors ( 57 , 58 ). The results of the present study revealed that treatment with ethanol upregulated the phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK and p38, indicating the activation of associated MAPK pathways so as to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in GES-1 cells.…”

Royal jelly attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating the expression of circadian genes in ovariectomized rats

“…The mRNA expression of circadian genes in the livers and hypothalamus suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) were measured by qRT‐PCR according to a previous study (Chen et al, ; You et al, ). In brief, RNA was extracted using RNA extraction kits (Cat No: RN03, Aidlab Biotechnologies Co. Ltd., Beijing, China).…”

Increased Anti-Inflammatory Effects on LPS-Induced Microglia Cells by Spirulina maxima Extract from Ultrasonic Process

“…The ultrasonic extract had a more dramatic reduction compared to the extract obtained by the general extraction process, reconfirming that ultrasound extracts have stronger anti-inflammatory effects. When compared to Coridalyis bungeana [51], Coptids rhizome [52], and Royal jelly [53], the Spirulina extracts from this UE showed anti-inflammatory effects selectively on brain nerve cells similar to or higher than those of the other substances. The extract containing large amounts of the useful bioactive substance in intact forms without the destruction of activity obtained through ultrasonic extraction has better anti-inflammatory properties, therefore confirming the excellence of ultrasonic low-temperature extraction once again.…”