Research Article

Saussureae Radix Attenuates Neuroinflammation in LPS-Stimulated Mouse BV2 Microglia via HO-1/Nrf-2 Induction and Inflammatory Pathway Inhibition

Figure 2

Effects of Saussureae Radix (SR) on (a, b) the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2, (c) the mRNA expression of heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1, and (d) the protein expression of HO-1 and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2). Control cells were incubated with only fresh DMEM. BV2 cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 (iNOS and COX-2), 6 (HO-1 protein), or 3 h (HO-1 mRNA and Nrf-2). (b, d) The histogram graphs show protein expression levels relative to those of the housekeeping protein. (d) The cultured BV2 microglia were incubated with anti-Nrf-2 (green) and DAPI (blue). Fluorescence was developed using the Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated anti-rabbit secondary antibody. # (vs. control); and (vs. LPS).
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