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20 pages, 3403 KB  
Article
Discovery of Rhubarb Anthraquinones Physcion and Rhein as Functional Inhibitors of TRPV1 Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuroinflammation
by Shuli Li, Yulin He, Hiotong Kam, Hanbin Chen, Jin-Song Bian, Nan Xu, Guiyi Gong, Qiwen Liao, Chen Zhao, Binrui Yang, Liang Chen, Kit Ieng Kuok and Simon Ming Yuen Lee
Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2049; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122049 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 142
Abstract
Neuroinflammation, mediated by microglia and astrocytes, is an abnormal immune reaction in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Stimulation of TRPV1 has been found to enhance microglial activation, resulting in a pro-inflammatory response. Natural anthraquinones such as physcion and rhein are commonly found in [...] Read more.
Neuroinflammation, mediated by microglia and astrocytes, is an abnormal immune reaction in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Stimulation of TRPV1 has been found to enhance microglial activation, resulting in a pro-inflammatory response. Natural anthraquinones such as physcion and rhein are commonly found in rhubarb, a medicinal plant recognized for its dual role in culinary and therapeutic applications. The therapeutic potential and mechanisms of these anthraquinones remain largely unexplored. This research aims to examine how anthraquinones protect against neuroinflammation and delineate the underlying mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated cellular and zebrafish models. Among the representative anthraquinone analogs, physcion and rhein showed potent functional inhibitory activity against the TRPV1 channel. The production of nitric oxide (NO) and secretion of pro-inflammatory factors triggered by LPS were significantly reduced in BV-2 cells through regulation of iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNA expression. Moreover, physcion and rhein inhibited calcium influx and exerted anti-neuroinflammatory effects, which were closely associated with the suppression of Ca2+/CAMKK2/AKT and the PI3K/AKT-mediated NF-κB activation pathways. Furthermore, physcion and rhein reduced LPS-driven neutrophil recruitment to the brain and ameliorated locomotor deficits in zebrafish larvae, with the restoration of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α transcript levels to baseline. In conclusion, natural-derived anthraquinones from rhubarb, physcion and rhein, acted as functional inhibitors of TRPV1-mediated calcium dynamics and significantly reduced LPS-mediated neuroinflammation in microglial cells and zebrafish larvae, suggesting promise as therapeutics for neurological disorders. Full article
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17 pages, 15329 KB  
Article
Effects of Combining Immune-Priming Sub-Lethal Low-Dose Radiation with 4-1BB Activation and Gal-3 Blockade in In Vitro and Preclinical Group-3 Medulloblastoma Models
by Arabinda Das, Connor Stephenson, Daniel G. McDonald, Julian E. Bailes, David Cachia and Ramin Eskandari
Cancers 2026, 18(12), 1890; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18121890 - 10 Jun 2026
Viewed by 165
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pediatric group 3 (G3) medulloblastomas (MB) are therapy resistant and have a significantly worse prognosis than the other MB subtypes. Aggressive radiation/chemotherapy improves survival, but potential long-term comorbidities include neurocognitive deficits. In previous work, we demonstrated that low-dose X-ray radiation (LDXR) acts [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pediatric group 3 (G3) medulloblastomas (MB) are therapy resistant and have a significantly worse prognosis than the other MB subtypes. Aggressive radiation/chemotherapy improves survival, but potential long-term comorbidities include neurocognitive deficits. In previous work, we demonstrated that low-dose X-ray radiation (LDXR) acts as an immunological adjuvant. Recent studies have demonstrated that galectin-3 (Gal-3) expression in MB tumors accelerates M2 macrophage infiltration and restricts T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling. Immunotherapy with an agonistic anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) activates CD8+ T cells, promoting their survival and acquisition of potent cytolytic properties. Building on these findings, we hypothesized that immune priming via sublethal LDXR, combined with a Gal-3 inhibitor and an anti-4-1BB mAb, would boost anti-tumor effects, resulting in survival benefits. Methods: We tested this hypothesis in vitro in co-cultures of human MB cells and in vivo, in an immunocompetent G3MB mouse model (MP1). Treatment effects were assessed using Western blot, flow cytometry, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunofluorescence imaging, and analysis of cytokine and chemokine expression. Results: Our data demonstrated higher Gal-3 expression in MB patient-derived tumor tissue than in non-tumor tissue. LDXR modulated major histocompatibility complex molecules, and, combined with a Gal-3 inhibitor and an anti-4-1BB mAb, altered T-cell/tumor-cell interactions, enhanced T-cell-mediated MB cell death, and shifted cytokine production to drive microglial polarization toward the M1 subtype. Furthermore, H&E-stained tumor sections showed a ~70% reduction in tumor size compared with untreated controls. Conclusions: These preclinical findings suggest that combining immune priming with sublethal LDXR, Gal-3 inhibition, and 4-1BB activation may be an effective treatment strategy for G3MB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Therapy)
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28 pages, 10175 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Extraction of Shrimp Head Lipids and Peptides from Litopenaeus vannamei: Evaluation of Neuroprotective Potential and Constituent Analysis
by Jiawen Zhao, Longjian Zhou, Yayue Liu, Zhiyou Yang, Fangfang Ban and Yi Zhang
Foods 2026, 15(11), 1999; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15111999 - 3 Jun 2026
Viewed by 278
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease has created a substantial and urgent need for brain-healthy functional foods. The processing of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) generates considerable amounts of head waste, which is rich in bioactive compounds, including lipids and peptides, [...] Read more.
The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease has created a substantial and urgent need for brain-healthy functional foods. The processing of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) generates considerable amounts of head waste, which is rich in bioactive compounds, including lipids and peptides, holding great promise for the development of nutraceuticals to support human brain health. However, traditional extraction methods are time-consuming and inefficient in fully utilizing these compounds. This study aimed to explore the functional properties of these shrimp head-derived ingredients using “one-step” three-phase partitioning (TPP) followed by successive proteolysis. The extracted polar lipid (PL-SH), protein (P-SH) and proteolytic peptidic product (Pep-SH) from shrimp heads were screened for their antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Antioxidant activities were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+), and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays, all of which revealed strong antioxidant potential for all three products. Neuroprotective activities were assessed using HT-22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells challenged with Aβ25−35, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities were evaluated using BV-2 microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results suggested that both PL-SH and Pep-SH exerted protective effects against Aβ25−35-induced cell damage under the tested conditions, and PL-SH also reduced nitric oxide (NO) production induced by LPS, indicating potential anti-neuroinflammatory activity. However, further studies with additional biomarkers (e.g., ROS, apoptosis markers, and cytokines) are required to confirm these effects. The lipid composition of PL-SH was further characterized by thin-layer chromatography and LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics, revealing various classes of phospholipids. Furthermore, analysis of the molecular weight distribution and sequences of peptides in Pep-SH revealed peptide sizes ranging from 70 to 1700 Da and a high degree of homology to known antioxidant and neuroprotective peptide sequences. These findings suggest that lipids and peptides from Pacific white shrimp heads possess valuable functional properties, supporting their potential use in the development of functional foods for neuroprotection and anti-neuroinflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
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17 pages, 5949 KB  
Article
New Insights into Parthanatos as Programmed Cell Death During Murine Cytomegalovirus or Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Productive Replication in Diverse Cell Types
by Jay J. Oh, Xinge Xie and Richard D. Dix
Cells 2026, 15(11), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15111009 - 30 May 2026
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways of innate immunity serve to protect host cells from invading viruses. Parthanatos is a novel form of PCD triggered by excessive host cell DNA damage that leads to overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) which in turn stimulates poly(ADP-ribose) [...] Read more.
Programmed cell death (PCD) pathways of innate immunity serve to protect host cells from invading viruses. Parthanatos is a novel form of PCD triggered by excessive host cell DNA damage that leads to overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) which in turn stimulates poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymer formation. PAR translocates to the cytoplasm, where it induces release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria, that then travels back to the nucleus, where it mediates large-scale DNA fragmentation and cell death. Little information is available regarding parthanatos as a cell death mechanism to dampen herpesvirus replication at the host cell level. A series of studies were therefore performed to clarify a possible role for parthanatos during productive replication of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in diverse cell types. These included mouse embryo fibroblasts, mouse lung fibroblasts, mouse microglial (BV-2) cells, and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. We report that PAR protein production is surprisingly cell type specific. Moreover, MCMV or HSV-1 infection may suppress parthanatos as observed for other PCD pathways, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, in a dose-dependent and cell type-specific manner. We conclude that the operation of parthanatos at the host cell level during herpesvirus replication is more complex than originally thought but offers new targets for possible therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multifaceted Nature of Immune Responses to Viral Infection)
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22 pages, 2689 KB  
Article
Functional Food Potential of Magnolia liliiflora Leaves: Chemical Profiling of Bioactive Lignans and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects in LPS-Activated Microglia
by Jorge-Eduardo Ponce-Zea, Yun-Hui Che, Gwan-Young Jung, Van-Hieu Mai, Minh-Thi-Tuyet Le, Jin-Pyo An and Won-Keun Oh
Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1749; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111749 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 326
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Neuroinflammation is a key contributor to neurodegenerative diseases. Magnolia liliiflora Desr. is a traditional medicinal plant with therapeutic potential; however, its bioactive constituents and mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to identify active compounds from M. liliiflora leaves that inhibit inflammatory [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Neuroinflammation is a key contributor to neurodegenerative diseases. Magnolia liliiflora Desr. is a traditional medicinal plant with therapeutic potential; however, its bioactive constituents and mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to identify active compounds from M. liliiflora leaves that inhibit inflammatory responses in microglial BV-2 cells. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. UPLC–qTOF MS/MS-based metabolite profiling combined with bioactivity-guided analysis was used to identify candidate biomarkers, which were subsequently isolated and structurally characterized. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses were performed to predict potential molecular targets and mechanisms of action. The effects on NF-κB signaling and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were further validated by Western blot analysis. Results: Two previously undescribed lignans (1 and 2) and five known lignan derivatives (37) were isolated from the leaves of M. liliiflora. At 20 µM, compounds 1, 35, and 7 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, with 23%, 33%, 69%, 56% and 49% inhibition, respectively, and no detectable cytotoxicity. Notably, an ethyl acetate-derived enriched subfraction showed 97% inhibition of NO production at 10 µg/mL, suggesting potential synergistic activity of M. liliiflora lignans. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses predicted interactions between the isolated lignans and NF-κB pathway-related targets, thereby guiding subsequent experimental validation. Both compounds significantly reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 and suppressed LPS-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in a concentration-dependent manner, as confirmed by Western blot analysis. Overall, the results demonstrate that M. liliiflora leaves are a source of bioactive lignans that attenuate microglial activation by inhibiting NO production and key inflammatory mediators, effects that are associated with the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study identified bioactive lignans from M. liliiflora leaves and demonstrated their anti-inflammatory activity in microglial cells. The findings establish the structural identities of the active compounds and confirm that M. liliiflora leaves are a valuable source of lignans with therapeutic potential for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Full article
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39 pages, 2611 KB  
Review
Silent Inflammation: A Critical Narrative Review of the Relationship Between Periodontal Disease and Psychosis—The Role of Oxidative Stress and Iatrogenic Comorbidities
by Brindusa E. Focseneanu, Roxana M. Ciobanu, Anna M. Pangica, Petru T. Ionescu, Teodora M. Pangica, Gabriela Marian and Florentina C. Biclesanu
Antioxidants 2026, 15(6), 679; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15060679 - 28 May 2026
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Extensive epidemiological evidence links psychosis (PZ)—particularly schizophrenia (SCZ)—with disproportionate periodontal destruction, suggesting shared biological vulnerability. Beyond local tissue damage, periodontitis provides a clinically accessible translational paradigm for systemic redox dysregulation, where sustained inflammatory activation coincides with measurable oxidative injury and exhaustion of antioxidant [...] Read more.
Extensive epidemiological evidence links psychosis (PZ)—particularly schizophrenia (SCZ)—with disproportionate periodontal destruction, suggesting shared biological vulnerability. Beyond local tissue damage, periodontitis provides a clinically accessible translational paradigm for systemic redox dysregulation, where sustained inflammatory activation coincides with measurable oxidative injury and exhaustion of antioxidant (AO) defenses across cardiometabolic and neuropsychiatric domains. In this critical narrative review, we argue that the excess periodontal burden in PZ reflects a “pathological confluence” shaped by antipsychotic-associated iatrogenic factors, rapid metabolic deterioration, and chronic oxidative distress. We appraise the thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)–NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) axis as a metabolic–redox sensor linking dysglycemia to periodontal inflammasome activation and downstream cytokine signaling, and address the advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)–receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) axis as a key immunometabolic redox pathway. We further discuss mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired mitophagy, and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) leakage as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that can amplify systemic “silent inflammation”. Integrating evidence on periodontal pathogen–host interactions and redox-sensitive neuroimmune pathways (including NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-linked microglial activation), we propose periodontitis as a plausible upstream amplifier that may exacerbate vascular dysfunction and compromise blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Finally, we outline clinically measurable biomarker readouts to operationalize redox-informed integrated care and highlight the need for pragmatic trials targeting clinically meaningful endpoints to improve somatic longevity in PZ-spectrum populations. We acknowledge that current human evidence is largely associative and that the proposed mechanistic links remain hypothesis generating. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roles of Oxidative Stress in Human Pathophysiology)
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16 pages, 3362 KB  
Article
The Extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza ‘Hongdan’ Attenuates Inflammation in LPS-Activated BV2 Microglia via ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK Signaling Inhibition
by Suk Ju, Joonyoung Shin, Hyorin Lee, Gwang Joo Jeon, Dongwoon Han and Sungchul Kim
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060818 - 23 May 2026
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant rich in phenolic acids and tanshinones, compounds that have been linked to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. ‘Hongdan’ is a Korean cultivar characterized by relatively high levels of salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA, but its anti-inflammatory [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Salvia miltiorrhiza is a medicinal plant rich in phenolic acids and tanshinones, compounds that have been linked to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. ‘Hongdan’ is a Korean cultivar characterized by relatively high levels of salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA, but its anti-inflammatory activity in microglial cells has not yet been examined. Methods: Nitrite production and the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were examined. In addition, activation of MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK, and p38) signaling pathway and expression of the NF-κB regulatory protein IκB-α were analyzed. Results: The Hongdan extract inhibited nitrite production and reduced the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. In addition, the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 was markedly reduced, whereas TNF-α was significantly suppressed only at the highest concentration tested. Furthermore, phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 was significantly inhibited, while IκB-α degradation was not altered. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the Hongdan extract effectively suppresses LPS-induced inflammatory responses through inhibition of MAPK signaling pathways and may serve as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for neuroinflammatory disorders. Full article
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18 pages, 9168 KB  
Article
Ether Phosphatidylserine from Soft Coral Sclerophytum heterospiculatum Reveals Antioxidant Activity and Modulates Lipid Composition in LPS-Activated Human Microglial HMC-3 Cells
by Elena T. Bizikashvili, Arina I. Ponomarenko, Ekaterina V. Ermolenko and Igor V. Manzhulo
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(6), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24060188 - 23 May 2026
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Ether phospholipids from marine organisms represent an understudied class of bioactive lipids with unique structural features. In this study, we isolated, for the first time, an ether phosphatidylserine (ePS) species from the soft coral Sclerophytum heterospiculatum and assessed its biological activity on human [...] Read more.
Ether phospholipids from marine organisms represent an understudied class of bioactive lipids with unique structural features. In this study, we isolated, for the first time, an ether phosphatidylserine (ePS) species from the soft coral Sclerophytum heterospiculatum and assessed its biological activity on human microglial clone 3 (HMC-3) cells. The isolated ePS contained an ether bond at the sn-1 position and very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (24:5) at the sn-2 position. Using an MTS assay, we demonstrated that ePS was non-cytotoxic at all tested concentrations (0.39–100 μg/mL) and even increased microglial proliferation at 50–100 μg/mL. In microglial cells activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS-activated), ePS significantly reduced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA). A lipidomic analysis by HPLC–MS/MS revealed that ePS modulated the membrane lipid composition of microglial cells, increasing the content of polyunsaturated phosphatidylserines (PS 36:3, PS 40:5) and decreasing the levels of phosphatidylinositols (PI 18:1/20:4; PI 18:0/20:4, 18:1/20:3). Furthermore, a fatty acid analysis showed that ePS prevented LPS-induced accumulation of saturated fatty acids and preserved PUFA levels in HMC-3 cells. These findings suggest that marine-derived ePS can be considered as promising agents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Pharmacology)
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19 pages, 4366 KB  
Article
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Algal Diterpenoid Ruguloptone A by Modulation of M2 Response in Early Diabetic Retinopathy
by Belén Cuevas, Eva Zubía, Francisco Martín-Loro and Ana I. Arroba
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050606 - 15 May 2026
Viewed by 468
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Inflammation is a critical contributor to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In the early stages of DR, the compromised permeability of the blood–retina barrier facilitates the infiltration of macrophages and the activation of microglia. These specific retinal immune cells can adopt [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Inflammation is a critical contributor to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In the early stages of DR, the compromised permeability of the blood–retina barrier facilitates the infiltration of macrophages and the activation of microglia. These specific retinal immune cells can adopt morphologies M1 or M2, linked to pro- or anti-inflammatory responses, respectively. This dual response represents a new therapeutic target against DR progression. This study aimed to investigate the modulation of the response M1/M2 and the molecular mechanism of two algal diterpenoids, rugukadiol A (RK) and ruguloptone A (RL), in the early inflammatory events associated with DR. Methods: LPS-stimulated microglial (Bv.2) and macrophage (RAW264.7) cells and an ex vivo physiological model of DR were used to analyze the effects of RK and RL on M1 and M2 inflammatory markers. Results: Compounds RK and RL, besides decreasing the expression of the M1 pro-inflammatory factors iNOS, Il6 mRNA, and NLRP3 in LPS-stimulated Bv.2 cells, caused enhancements in Arg-1 mRNA and Il10 mRNA expression consistent with the induction of an M2 anti-inflammatory response. RK promoted p38α-MAPK phosphorylation, suggesting a non-classical activation of p38α related to the induction of anti-inflammatory responses. Consistently, treatment of retinal explants of BB rats in the early stages of DR with RL decreased M1 pro-inflammatory mediators and induced M2 anti-inflammatory markers, with a reduction in gliosis and a phenotype switch from activated to resting microglia. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence of algal diterpenoids attenuating pro-inflammatory mediators and promoting the resolution of inflammation in a diabetic retinopathy context, thus opening the way to further explore this class of marine natural products and analogs for early DR management. Full article
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17 pages, 1630 KB  
Article
In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Molecular Docking Analysis of Compounds Isolated from Beyeria viscosa
by Hamza Shahid, James P. Flood, Feng Li, Xian Zhou, Gerald Münch and Ritesh Raju
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(5), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48050495 - 10 May 2026
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Inflammation contributes to the progression of numerous chronic diseases, and plants are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, bioassay-guided isolation of the previously unexplored Australian native plant Beyeria viscosa (Labill.) Miq. yielded eleven known compounds (111 [...] Read more.
Inflammation contributes to the progression of numerous chronic diseases, and plants are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, bioassay-guided isolation of the previously unexplored Australian native plant Beyeria viscosa (Labill.) Miq. yielded eleven known compounds (111). The chemical structures of these compounds were identified by detailed spectroscopic data analysis, and definitive structural confirmation was established using single-crystal X-ray crystallography for fritillebic acid (8) and herbacetin 3,7,8-trimethyl ether (5) for the first time. All compounds were first screened for nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and the active NO inhibitors were further assessed for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibition. Notably, compounds 5, 8, and 10 were evaluated for NO inhibitory activity for the first time, with compound 8 being the most potent (IC50 = 8.8 ± 1.3 μM), compound 10 showing moderate potency (IC50 = 12.2 ± 8.8 μM), and compound 5 being inactive. Among all tested compounds, fritillebic acid (8) emerged as the most active constituent, showing strong NO inhibition and moderate suppression of TNF-α and IL-6 production; therefore, it was further assessed in LPS-stimulated N-11 microglial cells, where it retained NO inhibitory activity (IC50 = 12.3 ± 0.5 μM) with a favorable activity–cytotoxicity profile (LC50 = 107.9 ± 1.9 μM). Consistent with the promising activity, molecular docking of compound 8 showed strong receptor-binding affinity with selected inflammation-related targets. Moreover, preliminary structure–activity relationship analysis of all isolated compounds suggested that substitution and oxygenation patterns may influence NO inhibitory potency. Overall, these findings identify fritillebic acid as the major anti-inflammatory lead from B. viscosa and highlight Australian native plants as a source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Full article
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17 pages, 1778 KB  
Article
King Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii, Inhibits Microglia Activation via the Interplay of NLRP3 to Alleviate Neuroinflammation
by Isabelle Aurore Hininger-Favier, Derek R. Fisher, Ahcene Boumendjel and Barbara Shukitt-Hale
Nutrients 2026, 18(10), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101495 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 750
Abstract
Background: Mushrooms have gained attention for their potential to improve brain health. We evaluated extracts of king oyster mushroom, as well as two of its bioactive compounds—ergothioneine (ERG) and N-acetyltryptamine (NAT)—for their ability to prevent microglia activation by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative [...] Read more.
Background: Mushrooms have gained attention for their potential to improve brain health. We evaluated extracts of king oyster mushroom, as well as two of its bioactive compounds—ergothioneine (ERG) and N-acetyltryptamine (NAT)—for their ability to prevent microglia activation by reducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Methods: HAPI microglial cells were pretreated with king oyster extracts (crude powder, acetone, ethanol, and methanol extracts at 100 μg/mL) and pure bioactive molecules of ergothioneine (ERG, 500 μM) and N-acetyl-tryptamine (NAT,50 μM) before stimulation with LPS. The effects on nitrite; TNF-α; and expressions of the inflammatory proteins iNOS, NOX2, and NLRP3 were compared with those of a blueberry extract (BB, 500 μg/mL) as a positive control. Results: All extracts and bioactive molecules significantly reduced nitrite production, similar to the BB. Overall, the best results for reducing inflammation and inflammatory protein expression were obtained with the extracts rich in NAT (acetone and ethanol), as well as pure NAT. Furthermore, through their inhibitory target effect on NLRP3, these two extracts and the bioactive compounds (NAT and ERG), like BB, are attractive therapeutic molecules to reduce mood disorders related to brain aging, due to evidence of enhanced Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity in common neurodegenerative diseases. Further interventional studies are needed to confirm mushrooms’ brain health properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Evaluation of Edible Mushrooms and Their Active Materials)
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14 pages, 1433 KB  
Article
Role of Cell Surface Receptors in Palmitic Acid-Induced Expression of IL-1β in Microglial Cells
by Viren Jadeja, Shiyu Ma and Heping Zhou
Lipidology 2026, 3(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/lipidology3020015 - 6 May 2026
Viewed by 611
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Palmitic acid (PA), the most abundant saturated fatty acid in circulation, is elevated in obese individuals and has been implicated in promoting inflammation. However, its effects on inflammatory cytokine production in microglial cells and the involvement of cell surface receptors remain poorly [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Palmitic acid (PA), the most abundant saturated fatty acid in circulation, is elevated in obese individuals and has been implicated in promoting inflammation. However, its effects on inflammatory cytokine production in microglial cells and the involvement of cell surface receptors remain poorly characterized. Methods: In this study, we treated BV2 murine microglial cells with 200 µM PA or bovine serum albumin (BSA) control for 24 h and assessed IL-1β expression using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and/or ELISA. The roles of toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40, and GPR120 were investigated using siRNA knockdown and/or pharmacological inhibition. Results: Our studies found that PA treatment significantly increased IL-1β production as well as the mRNA expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, GPR40, and GPR120 compared to BSA controls. IL-1β expression correlated positively with TLR-2, TLR-4, and GPR40 levels. RNAi silencing of TLR-2, TLR-4, or GPR40 substantially diminished IL-1β expression in cells exposed to both BSA and PA. In contrast, neither RNAi silencing nor pharmacological inhibition of GPR120 suppressed IL-1β expression, suggesting that GPR120 may not mediate PA-induced inflammation. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that PA-induced production of IL-1β may be mediated via TLR-2, TLR-4, and GPR40, and that these cell surface receptors may serve as important molecular links between saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and neuroinflammation. Full article
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32 pages, 3583 KB  
Review
Microglia Reprogramming in Glioblastoma: Stem Cell-Derived Factors as Emerging Immunomodulators
by Zahra Amiri, Beatrice Federica Tremonti, Alessandro Corsaro, Alessandra Pattarozzi, Adriana Bajetto, Federica Barbieri, Stefano Thellung and Tullio Florio
Cells 2026, 15(9), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15090840 - 4 May 2026
Viewed by 967
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most challenging forms of cancer to treat, despite that extensive molecular profiling is now available. Indeed, intratumoral cellular heterogeneity, receptor redundancy, and adaptive resistance through compensatory signaling limit the impact of targeted therapies. Moreover, immunotherapies also underperform: [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most challenging forms of cancer to treat, despite that extensive molecular profiling is now available. Indeed, intratumoral cellular heterogeneity, receptor redundancy, and adaptive resistance through compensatory signaling limit the impact of targeted therapies. Moreover, immunotherapies also underperform: checkpoint blockade and vaccine strategies did not obtain consistent benefits in a low mutational burden, poorly immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) dominated by immunosuppressive myeloid cells. In this article, we provide evidence that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a form of CNS resident microglia and infiltrating macrophage, derived from bone marrow, adopt a spatially and transcriptionally distinct, non-binary continuum, shaped by tumor-derived signals and niche constraints, allowing glioma cells to resist to immune and pharmaceutical therapeutics. Metabolic rewiring, including hypoxia-linked glycolytic pressure, lactate signaling, and lipid-associated programs, determine immunosuppressive outputs and restrict plasticity, while epigenetic imprinting (DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin regulators) stabilizes these programs and limits access to inflammatory loci. We discuss how stem cell secretome, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo may act as tunable autocrine/paracrine inputs that may bias microglial regulatory control. Finally, we highlight major translational confounders, including EV operational definitions, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and regional exposure, inconsistent dosing units, mixed myeloid compartments, and manufacturing dependent variability. Therefore, an exposure-aware framework that integrates product identity, delivery evidence, state-sensitive potency assays, and functional endpoints would be highly desirable. Full article
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14 pages, 2672 KB  
Article
Differential Cytokine Regulation in Microglial Endotoxin Tolerance
by Shilpitha Kadiyala, Miraj K. Vakil and Heping Zhou
Neuroglia 2026, 7(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/neuroglia7020013 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 532
Abstract
Background: Endotoxin tolerance describes the phenomenon whereby prior lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure attenuates inflammatory responses to subsequent LPS challenge. Studies have reported the involvement of different mediators of the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling pathway in endotoxin tolerance. Methods: We first examined dose- and time-dependent [...] Read more.
Background: Endotoxin tolerance describes the phenomenon whereby prior lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure attenuates inflammatory responses to subsequent LPS challenge. Studies have reported the involvement of different mediators of the toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 signaling pathway in endotoxin tolerance. Methods: We first examined dose- and time-dependent production of cytokines following LPS treatment and then examined cytokine production in BV2 cells pretreated with 5 ng/mL LPS for 24 h, followed by secondary challenge with 1 µg/mL LPS for four hours. To examine which inflammatory cytokine could induce tolerance, we pretreated BV2 cells with 1 µg/mL IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α for 24 h, followed by secondary challenge with 1 μg/mL LPS for four hours, and then examined cytokine production by ELISA. Results: Our data showed that LPS induced dose- and time-dependent production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Pretreatment with 5 ng/mL LPS significantly reduced the production of IL-1β and TNF-α in response to secondary challenge, while IL-6 production was slightly enhanced. We also found that pretreatment with IL-1β did not attenuate production of TNF-α but slightly enhanced IL-6 following secondary challenge with 1 µg/mL LPS. In contrast, pretreatment with IL-6 or TNF-α significantly attenuated subsequent LPS-induced IL-1β production without affecting the production of the other. Conclusions: Endotoxin tolerance in BV2 microglial cells selectively suppresses IL-1β and TNF-α while preserving IL-6 production. Both IL-6 and TNF-α independently induce tolerance specifically to IL-1β, suggesting negative feedback regulations. These findings reveal that endotoxin tolerance involves selective rather than global suppression of inflammatory mediators and cross-regulation between LPS and cytokine-induced signaling pathways. Full article
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19 pages, 1362 KB  
Review
Long-Chain Fatty Acids as Drivers of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration: Mechanistic Links to Lipid Peroxidation, Ferroptosis, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
by Rafail C. Christodoulou, Laura Lorentzen, Daniel Eller and Evros Vassiliou
Nutrients 2026, 18(9), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091392 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 986
Abstract
Background: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are mainly considered disorders marked by severe immunometabolic imbalance, characterized by ongoing neuroinflammation and glial activation. While mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are well-known features, the upstream metabolic factors linking these pathological processes remain poorly understood. Methods: In this [...] Read more.
Background: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are mainly considered disorders marked by severe immunometabolic imbalance, characterized by ongoing neuroinflammation and glial activation. While mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are well-known features, the upstream metabolic factors linking these pathological processes remain poorly understood. Methods: In this review, we examined recent preclinical and clinical studies exploring the connections between lipid metabolism, glial immunometabolism, and regulated cell death pathways. Our focus was on how long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) facilitate communication among mitochondria, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ferroptosis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Results: New evidence shifts LCFAs from merely being passive indicators of cellular damage to active, upstream regulators of the neuroimmune response. Existing research shows that excess LCFA intake can overload astrocytic mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, leading to abnormal lipid droplet buildup and reactive astrogliosis. This lipid-driven reactivity promotes microglial polarization toward a persistent pro-inflammatory state. Notably, high levels of specific LCFAs, especially arachidonic acid, increase ROS production and lipid peroxidation. This lipotoxic environment ultimately triggers ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death shared across multiple NDs. Conclusions: The harmful interaction among mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptosis is driven by an imbalance in LCFA levels. Addressing current challenges, such as the complex effects of polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation, requires advanced techniques like single-cell multi-omics and artificial intelligence. Understanding this intricate lipidomic-transcriptomic crosstalk is crucial for moving toward personalized neuroimmunometabolism and developing new treatments to prevent ferroptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Neuro Sciences)
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