Abstract:

Objective · To investigate the effects of d1-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on inflammatory mediators released by microglia cells after being activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods · Microglia cells and neurons were obtained from primary cultured rat cortices. Microglia cells were divided into five groups, including the blank control group, the LPS activated group, the solvent plus LPS group, the 0.01 mmol/L NBP plus LPS group, and the 0.1 mmol/L NBP plus LPS group. Microglia cells were pretreated with NBP 2 h before LPS stimulation. The morphology of microglia cells was observed under inverted microscope after being stimulated with LPS for 24 h. The levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 10 (IL-10), were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and the content of carbon monoxide (NO) was measured using nitrate reductase method. The survival rate of neurons was detected by MTT method. Results · NBP pretreated microglia cells remained the activated form after LPS stimulation. NBP did not affect the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 by activated microglia cells, but inhibited the production of inflammatory mediator NO, thus improved the survival rate of neurons in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion · NBP can attenuate the LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in microglia cells and show the dose-dependent neuroprotection.

Key words: d1-3-n-butylphthalide, microglia, inflammation