The effect and mechanism of tenuifolin on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

LI Yan-qing; LI Xiao-hui; YANG Zhi-chao; SONG Li-juan; WANG Qing; XIAO Bao-guo; MA Cun-gen

doi:10.20251/j.cnki.1003-3734.2025.15.014

Abstract：Objective:This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of tenuifolin(TEN)on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE)mice,a model of multiple sclerosis(MS),and its immunological mechanisms on T cells.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group,EAE model group,and TEN group(30 mg·kg-1).The model group and TEN group were induced to form EAE using Mycobacterium tuberculosis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein(MOG35～55).On the day of immunization,the TEN group received TEN intervention.Neurological scores of EAE mice were recorded after TEN treatment.On d 21,spinal cord samples were harvested for frozen sections,stained with H&E and Luxol Fast Blue to observe pathological changes in myelin tissue,and immunofluorescence was used to detect changes in MBP expression.Western blot was performed to measure the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB pathway proteins in spinal cord tissues.Flow cytometry was used to assess the percentages of T cell subpopulations in the spleen and lymph nodes.Results:Compared with EAE group,TEN intervention group showed a decrease in neurological behavioral scores in EAE mice,an improvement in demyelination,a reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration,and a decreased expression of proteins in TLR4/NF-κB pathway.The proportion of IFN-γ+CD4+T cells and IL-17+CD4+T cells in the spleen was downregulated,while the proportion of Foxp3+CD4+T cells was upregulated.The release of inflammatory cytokines,IFN-γ and IL-17,in spleen cells was inhibited,while the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β was promoted.Conclusion:TEN may alleviate inflammatory responses and improve clinical symptoms in EAE mice by modulating the proportion of T cell subpopulations.