Open AccessAtractylenolide III ameliorates spinal cord injury in rats by modulating microglial/macrophage polarization
Author(s) -
Xue MengTong,
Sheng WenJie,
Song Xue,
Shi YuJiao,
Geng ZhiJun,
Shen Lin,
Wang Rui,
Lü HeZuo,
Hu JianGuo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.13839
Subject(s) - neuroinflammation , microglia , neuroprotection , spinal cord injury , astrogliosis , mapk/erk pathway , p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , pharmacology , protein kinase b , chemistry , spinal cord , neuroscience , signal transduction , inflammation , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , immunology , central nervous system
Background Inflammatory reactions induced by spinal cord injury (SCI) are essential for recovery after SCI. Atractylenolide III (ATL‐III) is a natural monomeric herbal bioactive compound that is mainly derived in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz and has anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Objective Here, we speculated that ATL‐III may ameliorate SCI by modulating microglial/macrophage polarization. In the present research, we focused on investigating the role of ATL‐III on SCI in rats and explored the potential mechanism. Methods The protective and anti‐inflammatory effects of ATL‐III on neuronal cells were examined in a rat SCI model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated BV2 microglial line. The spinal cord lesion area, myelin integrity, and surviving neurons were assessed by specific staining. Locomotor function was evaluated by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale, grid walk test, and footprint test. The activation and polarization of microglia/macrophages were assessed by immunohistofluorescence and flow cytometry. The expression of corresponding inflammatory factors from M1/M2 and the activation of relevant signaling pathways were assessed by Western blotting. Results ATL‐III effectively improved histological and functional recovery in SCI rats. Furthermore, ATL‐III promoted the transformation of M1 into M2 and attenuated the activation of microglia/macrophages, further suppressing the expression of corresponding inflammatory mediators. This effect may be partly mediated by inhibition of neuroinflammation through the NF‐κB, JNK MAPK, p38 MAPK, and Akt pathways. Conclusion This study reveals a novel effect of ATL‐III in the regulation of microglial/macrophage polarization and provides initial evidence that ATL‐III has potential therapeutic benefits in SCI rats.