Cytoprotective Effects of Paeoniflorin Are Associated with Translocator Protein 18 kDa

July 2018 in “ Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy ”

Zhi-Kun Qiu, Xu Liu, Dan Tang, Zhe Zhang, Qinghong Fan, Yunyun Pan, Yingyu Chen, Meiyan Huang, Tao Zhu, Yulu Wang, Xiaofang Cheng, Jisheng Chen

paeoniflorin translocator protein 18 kDa neurosteroids progesterone allopregnanolone PK11195 trilostane finasteride TSPO

TLDR Paeoniflorin protects brain cells by involving a specific protein and neurosteroids.

The study investigated the cytoprotective effects of paeoniflorin (PF) on brain astrocytes, focusing on the role of translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) and neurosteroids biosynthesis. Using cultured astrocyte cells and AC-5216 as a positive control, the researchers found that PF's cytoprotective activities were linked to the biosynthesis of neurosteroids like progesterone and allopregnanolone. These protective effects were completely blocked by PK11195, trilostane, and finasteride, indicating that TSPO and neurosteroids biosynthesis played a crucial role in mediating PF's effects. The findings suggested new insights into the mechanisms behind PF's cytoprotective properties.

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