In vitro neuroprotective activity of sesquiterpenoids from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara

Abstract

We have isolated four sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara, a traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, and investigated the protective effects on LPS-induced neuronal cell death. Four sesquiterpenoids inhibited the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂ and tumor necrosis factor-α in LPS-treated BV-2 cells through the inhibition of NF-κB pathway. These sesquiterpenoids also inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in LPS-treated BV-2 cells. Furthermore, they inhibited LPS-induced neuronal cell death in co-culture system through the inhibition of NF-κB pathway and scavenging of ROS. These results indicated that sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara may have beneficial therapeutic potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through inhibition of microglial activation.

• Neuroprotection
• sesquiterpenoids
• Tussilago farfara

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. 2011-0030074) and the SRC Research Center for Women’s Diseases of Sookmyung Women’s University (2011).