Inhibitors of microglial neurotoxicity: Focus on natural products

Dong Kug Choi, Sushruta Koppula, Kyoungho Suk

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

117 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microglial cells play a dual role in the central nervous system as they have both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects. Uncontrolled and excessive activation of microglia often contributes to inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration. Recently, much attention has been paid to therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting neurotoxic microglial activation. Pharmacological inhibitors of microglial activation are emerging as a result of such endeavors. In this review, natural products-based inhibitors of microglial activation will be reviewed. Potential neuroprotective activity of these compounds will also be discussed. Future works should focus on the discovery of novel drug targets that specifically mediate microglial neurotoxicity rather than neuroprotection. Development of new drugs based on these targets may require a better understanding of microglial biology and neuroinflammation at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1021-1043
Number of pages23
JournalMolecules
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Microglia
  • Natural products
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neuroinflammation
  • Neuroprotection

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