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Planta Med 2017; 83(01/02): 135-142
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-109271
Natural Product Chemistry and Analytical Studies
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sesquiterpene Coumarins from Ferula sinkiangensis Act as Neuroinflammation Inhibitors

Yachao Xing
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
2   Shanghai Haini Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group, Shanghai, China
,
Ning Li
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
3   Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
,
Di Zhou
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
,
Gang Chen
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
3   Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
,
Kun Jiao
4   College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
,
Wenli Wang
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
,
Yingying Si
1   School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica 49﹟, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
,
Yue Hou
4   College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 10 December 2015
revised 13 May 2016

accepted 18 May 2016

Publication Date:
15 July 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia cells plays a critical role in the development of Alzheimer′s disease. To identify novel natural neuroinflammation inhibitors, a bioactivity-guided phytochemical research was performed on the traditional Chinese medicine “Awei”, that exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on nitric oxide production in over-activated microglia cells. The research identified sixteen bioactive sesquiterpene coumarins (two new and fourteen known ones) in the effective extract of Ferula sinkiangensis. Further, the anti-neuroinflammatory activities in BV-2 microglial cells were evaluated by monitoring LPS-induced nitric oxide production. In conclusion, the major constituent, (3′S, 5′S, 8′R, 9′S, 10′R)-kellerin (1.5 %, w/w), should be responsible for the anti-neuroinflammatory effect exhibited by Awei. Furthermore, it might be a potential natural therapeutic agent for Alzheimer′s disease. The research indicated moreover, that its primary mechanism is the inhibition of mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β.

Key words

Awei - resin of Ferula sinkiangensis - Umbelliferae - sesquiterpene coumarins - neuro-inflammation - Alzheimerʼs disease

Supporting Information

 

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