Bullatine A, a diterpenoid alkaloid of the genus Aconitum, could attenuate ATP-induced BV-2 microglia death/apoptosis via P2X receptor pathways

• We characterized the pharmacological effect and mechanism of Bullatine A (BLA) on ATP-induced BV-2 cell death/apoptosis.
• BLA potently inhibits ATP-induced inflammatory responses.
• BLA could selectively suppress the up-regulation of P2X7 receptor.
• BLA may be a potential candidate for the treatment of neuropathic pain and neurodegenerative disease.

Bullatine A (BLA), a diterpenoid alkaloid of the genus Aconitum, possesses anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. The mechanism underlying the effects was examined in the present study. The effect of BLA on extracellular ATP induced cell death/apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines release were investigated using BV-2 microglia cell line. The mediation/efficacy of inflammatory cytokines and P2X receptors was evaluated by detecting the mRNA levels of iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β and P2X receptors, respectively. The results demonstrated that BV-2 cells could be damaged after incubation with higher dose of ATP, leading to activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, transcriptional activation of iNOS and overproduction of NO via activation of P2X receptor. The BLA (1–50 μM) potently inhibits ATP-induced BV-2 cell death/apoptosis and P2X receptor-mediated inflammatory responses via selectively suppressing the up-regulation of P2X7 receptor mRNA. Since P2X7 receptors have an important role in immune and pain response, inflammation and inflammatory disease, this discovery of BLA as a potent P2X7 antagonist indicated that BLA may be a potential useful candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as arthritis.

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