Schizandra chinensis Alkaloids Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses in BV2 Microglial Cells

Abstract

-Schizandra chinensis (S. chinensis) exhibits a harmless, 'adaptogen-type' effect leading to improvements in mental performance and learning efficacy in brain. Activated microglia contributes to neuronal injury by releasing neurotoxic products, which make it important to regulate microglial activation to prevent further cytological as well as functional brain damage. However, the effect of S. chinensis on microglial activation has not been examined yet. We have investigated the effects of four compounds (Gomisin A, Gomisin N, Schizandrin and Schizandrol A) from S. chinensis on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation. In this study, BV2 microglial cells were activated with LPS and the microglial activation was assessed by up-regulation of activation markers such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). The results showed that all four compounds significantly reduced the intracellular level of ROS, the release of NO and MMP-9 as well as LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. These results strongly suggested that S. chinensis may be useful to modulate inflammation-mediated brain damage by regulating microglial activation.

Protective Effect of Gomisin N against Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Hepatic Steatosis

“…Several studies have demonstrated the diverse pharmacological activities of S. chinensis, which include anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. [11][12][13][14][15] In addition, hepatoprotective activities of S. chinensis have also been reported. [16][17][18][19] A recent study of ours showed that S. chinensis has a protective effect against ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis (unpublished data).…”

Gomisin N inhibits adipogenesis and prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity

“…Several studies have demonstrated the diverse pharmacological activities of S. chinensis , including antioxidant11, antitumor12, anti-obesity13, anti-inflammatory14, cardioprotective15, and hepatoprotective effects16. S. chinensis contains various bioactive constituents, including lignans, triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and sterols17.…”

Effects of Schisandra chinensis Baillon (Schizandraceae) on lipopolysaccharide induced lung inflammation in mice

“…Oh et al have recently reported that when LPS stimulates Raw 264.7 cells, three ingredient of Sc-gomisin J, gomisin N, and schisandrin C-reduced NO production by blocking p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK 1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation (Oh et al, 2010). Choi et al have recently revealed that four lignans, Gomisin A, Gomisin N, Schizandrin and Schizandrol A, regulate the induction of NO, reactive oxygen species, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 by blockage of ERK 1/2 on LPS-induced BV2 microglial activation (Choi et al, 2009). Guo et al have recently reported that Schisandrin inhibited plasma NO production in vivo (Guo et al, 2008).…”