Resveratrol inhibits oligomeric Aβ-induced microglial activation via NADPH oxidase

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is key in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have suggested that NADPH oxidase contributes to microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Resveratrol, which is a natural polyphenolic compound, exerts neuroprotective effects in AD due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on the activation of oligomeric amyloid beta (oA beta)-induced BV-2 microglia, and to determine the role of NADPH oxidase in these effects. Microglial proliferation was measured by high-content screening cell counting and using a bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay. In addition, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta were assessed. The results of the present study demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of oA beta-induced microglia and the production of pro-inflammatory factors, including ROS, NO, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Subsequent mechanistic investigations demonstrated that resveratrol inhibited the oA beta-induced mRNA and protein expression levels of p47phox and gp9lphox. These results suggested that NADPH oxidase may be a potential target for AD treatment, and resveratrol may be a valuable natural product possessing therapeutic potential against AD.