Neuroprotective Activity of Epigallocatechin Gallate against Lipopolysaccharide Mediated Cytotoxicity
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS mediated systemic inflammation plays a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) the major component in green tea, on LPS mediated inflammation and neurotoxicity. LPS treatment of macrophages induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF a, IL 1b, and IL 6) However, EGCG pretreatment of macrophages significantly inhibited LPS mediated induction of these cytokines. In addition, EGCG significantly diminished LPS induced inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) Supernatant from EGCG pretreated and LPS activated macrophage cultures was found to be less cytotoxic to neurons than that from non EGCG pretreated and LPS activated macrophage cultures. Furthermore, EGCG treatment of neurons could inhibit LPS induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) Thus EGCG represents a potent and useful neuroprotective agent for inflammation mediated neurological disorders.
Journal of immunology research