<i>Nardostachys jatamansi</i> Extract and Nardosinone Exert Neuroprotective Effects by Suppressing Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming and Modulating T Cell Infiltration

Background: <i>Nardostachys jatamansi</i> DC. (Gansong), a widely utilized herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been historically employed in the management of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Nardosinone (Nar), a sesquiterpenoid compound, has been identified as one of the princi...

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Main Authors: Congyan Duan, Weifang Lin, Mingjie Zhang, Bianxia Xue, Wangjie Sun, Yang Jin, Xiaoxu Zhang, Hong Guo, Qing Yuan, Mingyu Yu, Qi Liu, Naixuan Wang, Hong Wang, Honghua Wu, Shaoxia Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/9/644
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Summary:Background: <i>Nardostachys jatamansi</i> DC. (Gansong), a widely utilized herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been historically employed in the management of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Nardosinone (Nar), a sesquiterpenoid compound, has been identified as one of the principal bioactive constituents of <i>N. jatamansi</i>. This study investigated the effects of ethyl acetate extract (NJ-1A) from <i>N. jatamansi</i> and its active constituent nardosinone on neuroinflammatory mediator release, glucose metabolic reprogramming, and T cell migration using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Methods: Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells and a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/p)-induced male C57BL/6N mouse chronic model of Parkinson’s disease were applied. Results: Both NJ-1A and Nar could significantly suppress LPS-induced production of M1 pro-inflammatory factors or markers in microglia and could inhibit the glycolytic process and promote oxidative phosphorylation via the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, they exhibited the capacity to attenuate chemokine release from activated microglia, consequently reducing T cell migration. In vivo experiments revealed that NJ-1A and Nar effectively inhibited microglial activation, diminished T cell infiltration, and mitigated the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of MPTP-induced mice. Conclusions: NJ-1A and nardosinone exert neuroprotective effects through the modulation of microglial polarization states, regulation of metabolic reprogramming, and suppression of T cell infiltration.
ISSN:2073-4409