天然产物研究与开发 ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 46-53.doi: 10.16333/j.1001-6880.2026.1.005 cstr: 32307.14.1001-6880.2026.1.005

• 研究论文 • 上一篇    下一篇

黄芩素通过TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路减轻抑郁症小鼠神经炎症的作用机制研究

何起臣1†,金立强2†,贾运涛1,张  琪1*   

  1. 1重庆医科大学附属儿童医院药学部 国家儿童健康与疾病临床医学研究中心 儿童发育疾病研究教育部重点实验室 儿童神经发育与认知障碍重庆市重点实验室,重庆 400014;2重庆医药高等专科学校科技产业发展中心,重庆 401331
  • 出版日期:2026-01-28 发布日期:2026-01-26
  • 基金资助:
    重庆医药高等专科学校校级项目(ygzrc2024102)

Mechanism of baicalein in reducing neuroinflammation in depressive mice through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

HE Qi-chen1†,JIN Li-qiang2†,JIA Yun-tao1,ZHANG Qi1*   

  1. 1Department of Pharmacy,Children′s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders,Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Disorders,Chongqing 400014,China;2 Science and Technology Industry Development Center,Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing 401331,China
  • Online:2026-01-28 Published:2026-01-26

摘要:

为探讨黄芩素通过调控Toll样受体4(Toll-like receptor 4,TLR4)/髓样分化因子88(myeloid differentiation factor 88,MyD88)/核因子κB(nuclear factor-κB,NF-κB)信号通路减轻抑郁症小鼠神经炎症的潜在机制,本研究结合行为学检测、炎症因子测定、信号通路蛋白分析及小胶质细胞活化观察展开系统探究。将60只小鼠随机平均分为对照组、模型组、氟西汀组(10 mg/kg)及黄芩素低、中、高剂量组(50、100、200 mg/kg)。除对照组外,其余各组通过慢性不可预见性温和应激(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS)构建抑郁症模型,造模成功后各组给予对应药物干预28 d。采用强迫游泳实验、悬尾实验评估小鼠抑郁样行为;免疫组化法观察杏仁核中小胶质细胞活化状态;ELISA法检测小鼠血清及杏仁核中肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、IL-6水平;RT-qPCR法检测杏仁核中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB p65 mRNA表达;Western blot法检测杏仁核中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB p65及磷酸化NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)蛋白表达。结果显示,与对照组相比,模型组小鼠强迫游泳及悬尾实验不动时间显著延长(P<0.01);小胶质细胞数量明显增多(P<0.01);血清及杏仁核中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平显著升高(P<0.01);杏仁核中TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB p65 mRNA及蛋白表达显著上调(P<0.01)。与模型组相比,黄芩素中、高剂量组可显著缩短小鼠不动时间(P<0.01),改善抑郁样绝望行为;黄芩素各剂量组均能不同程度减少小胶质细胞过度活化(P<0.01),降低血清及杏仁核中促炎因子水平(P<0.01),并抑制杏仁核内TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB p65 mRNA及蛋白表达(P<0.01)。综上,黄芩素可能通过抑制TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路活化,降低杏仁核促炎因子水平、抑制小胶质细胞过度活化以缓解神经炎症,进而改善CUMS模型小鼠的抑郁样行为。

关键词: 黄芩素, TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路, 抑郁症, 神经炎症, 杏仁核

Abstract:

This study aimed to explore the potential mechanism by which baicalin reduces neuroinflammation in mice with depression by regulating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway.This study employed a systematic investigation combining behavioral testing,inflammatory cytokine assays,signaling pathway protein analysis,and microglial activation observation.Sixty mice were randomly divided into the following groups:control,model,fluoxetine (10 mg/kg),and low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose baicalin groups (50,100,200 mg/kg).Except for the control group,all other groups were modeled for depression using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).Following successful modeling,each group was given the corresponding drug intervention for 28 days.Depression-like behavior was detected by forced swimming and tail suspension test,the activation of microglia in the amygdala was detected by immunohistochemistry,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-1β (IL-1β),and IL-6 in serum and the amygdala were detected by ELISA,and the mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65 in the amygdala were detected by RT-qPCR.The expression of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 protein in the amygdala were detected by Western blot.Compared with control group,mice in the model group exhibited significantly prolonged immobility times (P<0.01),the number of microglia in the amygdala was significantly increased (P<0.01),and the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in serum and the amygdala were significantly elevated (P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65 in the amygdala were significantly increased (P<0.01).Compared with model group,the immobile time of baicalein medium and high dose groups was decreased (P<0.01),and the desperate behavior of depression model mice was improved.Different doses of baicalin reduced microglial hyperactivation to varying degrees (P<0.01),decreased proinflammatory factor levels in serum and the amygdala (P<0.01),and inhibited TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB p65 mRNA,and protein expression in the amygdala (P<0.01).These findings suggest that baicalin may inhibit TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation,reduce proinflammatory factor levels in the amygdala,and suppress excessive microglial activation to alleviate neuroinflammation,thereby improving depressive-like behaviors in CUMS model mice.

Key words: baicalein, TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, depression, neuroinflammation, amygdala

中图分类号:  R96