Toshinori Sawano, Nobutaka Doe, Momoka Okada, Natsumi Yamaguchi, Jin Nakatani, Mikio Nishizawa, Hidekazu Tanaka
A standardized extract of Asparagus officinalis stem (EAS) has shown anti-inflammatory effects. Many central nervous system (CNS) disorders are associated with neuroinflammation. Microglia play an important role in the immune response in the CNS. However, no therapeutic agents targeting microglial regulation have been successfully translated into clinical practice. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EAS on microglial function and CNS health. EAS suppressed the expression of interleukin 1β (Il1b) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (inos) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia while promoting the expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and vascular endothelial growth factor a (Vegfa). The EAS-induced suppression of Il1b and inos was mediated by the inhibition of NF-κB activation, whereas the upregulation of Hsp70 and Vegfa was associated with the activation of heat shock transcription factor 1. Additionally, EAS alleviated depression-like behaviors in LPS-administered mice. Our findings suggest the potential therapeutic benefits of EAS for CNS disorders. Copyright©2026, Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology.
Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Hyogo Medical University (Kobe Campus), 1-3-6 Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Hyogo, Kobe, 650-8530, Japan; Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Hyogo Medical University (Nishinomiya Campus), 1-1 Mukogawacho, Hyogo, Nishinomiya, 663-8501, Japan; Medical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65113, Indonesia
