Cyanidin is polyphenolic pigment found in plants. We have previously demonstrated that
cyanidin protects nerve cells against Aβ25-35-induced toxicity by decreasing oxidative stress and attenuating apoptosis mediated by both the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the ER stress pathway. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the
neuroprotective effects of
cyanidin, we investigated the effects of
cyanidin on
neuroinflammation mediated by the TLR4/NOX4 pathway in Aβ25-35-treated human
neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH). SK-N-SH cells were exposed to Aβ25-35 (10 μmol/L) for 24 h. Pretreatment with
cyanidin (20 μmol/L) or NAC (20 μmol/L) strongly inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway in the cells evidenced by suppressing the degradation of IκBα, translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, and thereby reducing the expression of iNOS
protein and the production of NO. Furthermore, pretreatment with
cyanidin greatly promoted the translocation of the Nrf2
protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; upregulating cytoprotective
enzymes, including HO-1, NQO-1 and GCLC; and increased the activity of SOD
enzymes. Pretreatment with
cyanidin also decreased the expression of TLR4, directly improved intracellular ROS levels and regulated the activity of
inflammation-related downstream pathways including NO production and SOD activity through TLR4/NOX4 signaling. These results demonstrate that TLR4 is a primary receptor in SK-N-SH cells, by which Aβ25-35 triggers
neuroinflammation, and
cyanidin attenuates Aβ-induced
inflammation and ROS production mediated by the TLR4/NOX4 pathway, suggesting that inhibition of TLR4 by
cyanidin could be beneficial in preventing neuronal cell death in the process of
Alzheimer's disease.