Isoliquiritigenin Attenuates Neuroinflammation in Traumatic Brain Injury in Young Rats

Abstract

Objectives: Inflammation and apoptosis play a critical role in the pathological progress of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Isoliquiritigenin is a bioactive component extracted from licorice roots, which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aims to investigate the potential effects of isoliquiritigenin on neuroinflammation in a rat model of TBI. Methods: The SH-SY5Y cells were subjected to cell injury induced by shear stress and the effect of isoliquiritigenin on cell apoptosis was measured. Male rats received a controlled cortical impact to induce TBI and were then treated with isoliquiritigenin (20 mg/kg). Brain edema and contusion volume were measured to assess brain damage. Morris water maze, the beam-balance test, and the beam-walk test were performed to evaluate the cognitive and motor functions. Results: Levels of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptotic regulators were measured. Results showed that isoliquiritigenin reduced shear stress-induced cell apoptosis in vitro. In young rats subjected to TBI, treatment of isoliquiritigenin reduced brain damage and attenuated motor and cognitive impairments. Isoliquiritigenin also reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and Bax and increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in TBI rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that isoliquiritigenin possesses beneficial effects in TBI by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis.

Pathogenic Functions of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 6 Signaling Following Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Physical and cognitive deficits result from both primary injury to the trauma site and delayed secondary injury to surrounding structures. Neuroinflammation is a major pathogenic mechanism for secondary brain injury following TBI (Chiu et al, 2016;Simon et al, 2017;Liu et al, 2019), characterized by edema, microglial and astrocytic activation and migration, and the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Gyoneva and Ransohoff, 2015;Karve et al, 2016;Webster et al, 2017). Thus, inhibition of these processes following sTBI may significantly reduce the progressive deficits associated with secondary brain injury.…”

Oral Cannabidiol Prevents Allodynia and Neurological Dysfunctions in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury with a number of symptoms accompanied by inflammatory process and cell death (Arciniegas, 2011; Liu et al, 2019). It is characterized by an initial neuroinflammation, mediated by a rapid glia cells activation, peripheral immune cells recruitment and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, followed by the late appearance of psychologically debilitating symptoms and cognitive impairments (Woodcock and Morganti-Kossmann, 2013).…”

Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Neuroinflammation: Health Promoting Effects of Dietary Phytochemicals in Neurological Disorders

“…It is noteworthy that sulforaphane was able to not only reduce cathepsin B‐dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but also downregulate STAT‐1 phosphorylation and activate Nrf2/HO‐1 cascade in Aβ‐treated THP‐1 macrophages. In chalcones, in vivo studies suggested isoliquiritigenin as a potent inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome against ICH and TBI . Previous studies have also shown that isoliquiritigenin was a potent NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor in different inflammatory disease models, including the high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and indomethacin‐induced small intestinal damage .…”

“…In chalcones, in vivo studies suggested isoliquiritigenin as a potent inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome against ICH and TBI. [149,150] Previous studies have also shown that isoliquiritigenin was a potent NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor in different inflammatory disease models, including the high-fat diet-induced obesity and indomethacin-induced small intestinal damage. [151,152] Finally, emerging data has also shown that the plant-derived phytochemicals besides flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and curcuminoids, also exerted health promoting potentials to prevent neurological disorders, especially depression ( Table 1).…”