Sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum Improves Neuroinflammation by Regulating JNK Phosphorylation
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20241506
- VernacularTitle:沉香倍半萜ZH-13抑制JNK磷酸化改善神经小胶质细胞炎症的机制
- Author:
Ziyu YIN
1
;
Yun GAO
1
;
Junjiao WANG
1
;
Weigang XUE
1
;
Xueping PANG
1
;
Huiting LIU
1
;
Yunfang ZHAO
1
;
Huixia HUO
1
;
Jun LI
1
;
Jiao ZHENG
1
Author Information
1. Modem Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine，Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine，Beijing University of Chinese Medicine，Beijing 102488，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum;
sesquiterpene;
microglia;
neuroinflammation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(1):139-145
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group， the model group， and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups （10， 20 μmol·L-1）. The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8 kit）. Nitric oxide （NO） release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit （Griess method）. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the 20 μmol·L-1 ZH-13 treatment group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， iNOS， and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups， the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin （Ani）， both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.
