Gomisin A inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in N9 microglia via blocking the NF-κB/MAPKs pathway

•Gomisin A inhibited NO and PGE2 production by supressing iNOS and COX-2 expression in LPS-stimulated N9 microglial cells.•Gomisin A down-regulated cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) expression in LPS-stimulated N9 cells.•Gomisin A suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways.•Gomisin A down-regulated the increase of TLR4 expression induced by LPS.•Gomisin A alleviated the death of neuronal cells induced by the conditioned-media from activated microglia.

Gomisin A, one of the major dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis Baill., has proved to possess a variety of pharmacological effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of gomisin A as well as its potential molecular mechanisms. It was found that gomisin A not only inhibited the production of NO and PGE2 in a concentration-dependent manner but also suppressed the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated N9 microglia without observable cytotoxicity. Gomisin A was also able to attenuate the mRNA expression and the production of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Moreover, LPS induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, NADPH oxidase activation, and gp91phox expression, which were markedly inhibited by gomisin A in microglia. Furthermore, the data showed that gomisin A significantly down-regulated the TLR4 protein expression, and inhibited nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways. Additionally, gomisin A alleviated the cell death of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma, rat primary cortical and hippocampal neurons induced by the conditioned-media from activated microglia. In summary, gomisin A may exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating the microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory response via inhibiting the TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways.