Title:Scutellarin Attenuates Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Promotes Astrogliosis in Cerebral Ischemia - A Therapeutic Consideration
Volume: 24
Issue: 7
Author(s): Chun-Yun Wu, Ming Fang, Aparna Karthikeyan, Yun Yuan*Eng-Ang Ling*
Affiliation:
- Department of Anatomy and Histology/Embryology, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Kunming,China
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 4 Medical Drive, MD10, Singapore 117597,Singapore
Keywords:
Scutellarin, cerebral ischemia, activated microglia, reactive astrocytes, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection.
Abstract: Neuroinflammation plays an important role in different brain diseases including
acute brain injuries such as cerebral ischemic stroke and chronic neurodegenerative diseases
e.g. Alzheimer’s disease etc. The central player in this is the activated microglia, which produce
substantial amounts of proinflammatory mediators that may exacerbate the disease.
Associated with microglia activation is astrogliosis characterized by hypertrophic astrocytes
with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic factors, stem cell,
neuronal and proliferation markers, all these are crucial for reconstruction of damaged tissue
and ultimate restoration of neurological functions.
Here, we review the roles of activated microglia and reactive astrocytes in brain diseases
with special reference to cerebral ischemia, and the effects of scutellarin, a Chinese herbal
extract on both glial cells. We first reviewed the close spatial relation between activated microglia
and reactive astrocytes as it suggests that both glial cells work in concert for tissue
reconstruction and repair. Secondly, we have identified scutellarin as a putative therapeutic
agent as it has been found to not only suppress microglial activation thus ameliorating neuroinflammation,
but also enhance astrocytic reaction. In the latter, scutellarin amplified the
astrocytic reaction by upregulating the expression of neurotrophic factors among others thus
indicating its neuroprotective role. Remarkably, the effects of scutellarin on reactive astrocytes
were mediated by activated microglia supporting a functional “cross-talk” between the
two glial types. This review highlights some of our recent findings taking into consideration
of others demonstrating the beneficial effects of scutellarin on both glial cell types in cerebral
ischemia as manifested by improvement of neurological functions.
