Semisynthetic quercetin-quinone mitigates BV-2 microglia activation through modulation of Nrf2 pathway

Protection Activity of 1,4-Naphthoquinones in Rotenone-Induced Models of Neurotoxicity

The MTS cell viability test was used to screen a mini library of natural and synthetic 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives (1,4-NQs) from marine sources. This screening identified two highly effective compounds, U-443 and U-573, which showed potential in protecting Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells from the toxic effects of rotenone in an in vitro model of neurotoxicity. The selected 1,4-NQs demonstrated the capability to reduce oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and displayed significant antioxidant properties in mouse brain homogenate. Normal mitochondrial function was restored and the mitochondrial membrane potential was also regained by 1,4-NQs after exposure to neurotoxins. Furthermore, at low concentrations, these compounds were found to significantly reduce levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1β and notably inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results of docking studies showed that the 1,4-NQs were bound to the active site of COX-2, analogically to a known inhibitor of this enzyme, SC-558. Both substances significantly improved the behavioral changes in female CD1 mice with rotenone-induced early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) in vivo. It is proposed that the 1,4-NQs, U-443 and U-573, can protect neurons and microglia through their potent anti-ROS and anti-inflammatory activities.

JE-133 Suppresses LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation Associated with the Regulation of JAK/STAT and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and interrupting the microglial-mediated neuroinflammation has been suggested as a promising strategy to delay or prevent the progression of neurodegeneration. In this study, we investigated the effects of JE-133, an optically active isochroman-2H-chromene conjugate containing a 1,3-disubstituted isochroman unit, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial neuroinflammation and underlying mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo. First, JE-133 treatment decreased LPS-induced overproduction of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitrite, and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in BV2 microglial cells. Further study revealed that JE-133 downregulated the phosphorylation level of JAK/STAT and upregulated the protein level of Nrf2/HO-1 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells and verified that JE-133 directly bound to Keap1 by a pull-down assay. Next, JE-133 administration also inhibited neuroinflammation in vivo, as indicated by a reduced CD11b protein level and an overexpressed mRNA level of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the hippocampus of LPS-injected mice. Moreover, the regulative effects of JE-133 on the JAK/STAT and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways were also verified in the hippocampus of LPS-injected mice. Taken together, our study for the first time reports that JE-133 exhibits inhibitory effects against LPS-stimulated neuroinflammation both in vitro and in vivo, which might be associated with the simultaneous regulation of the JAK/STAT and Nrf2 pathways. Our findings may provide important clues for the discovery of effective drug leads/candidates against neuroinflammation-associated neurodegeneration.

Anti-inflammatory reprogramming of microglia cells by metabolic modulators to counteract neurodegeneration; a new role for Ranolazine

Microglia chronic activation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including the retinal ones, possibly contributing to their etiopathogenesis. However, some microglia sub-populations have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective functions, thus making arduous deciphering the role of these cells in neurodegeneration. Since it has been proposed that functionally different microglia subsets also rely on different metabolic routes, we hypothesized that modulating microglia metabolism might be a tool to enhance their anti-inflammatory features. This would have a preventive and therapeutic potential in counteracting neurodegenerative diseases. For this purpose, we tested various molecules known to act on cell metabolism, and we revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of the FDA-approved piperazine derivative Ranolazine on microglia cells, while confirming the one of the flavonoids Quercetin and Naringenin, both in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrated the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of Quercetin and Idebenone, and the ability of Ranolazine, Quercetin and Naringenin to counteract the neurotoxic effect of LPS-activated microglia on 661W neuronal cells. Overall, these data suggest that using the selected molecules -also in combination therapies- might represent a valuable approach to reduce inflammation and neurodegeneration while avoiding long term side effects of corticosteroids.

Naphthoquinones as a Promising Class of Compounds for Facing the Challenge of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disease that affects approximately 6.1 million people and is primarily caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Naphthoquinones have several biological activities explored in the literature, including neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this review shows an overview of naphthoquinones with neuroprotective effects, such as shikonin, plumbagin and vitamin K, that prevented oxidative stress, in addition to multiple mechanisms. Synthetic naphthoquinones with inhibitory activity on the P2X7 receptor were also found, leading to a neuroprotective effect on Neuro-2a cells. It was found that naphthazarin can act as inhibitors of the MAO-B enzyme. Vitamin K and synthetic naphthoquinones hybrids with tryptophan or dopamine showed inhibition of the aggregation of α-synuclein. Synthetic derivatives of juglone and naphthazarin were able to protect Neuro-2a cells against neurodegenerative effects of neurotoxins. In addition, routes for producing synthetic derivatives were also discussed. With the data presented, 1,4-naphthoquinones can be considered as a promising class in the treatment of PD and this review aims to assist the scientific community in the application of these compounds. The derivatives presented can also support further research that explores their structures as synthetic platforms, in addition to helping to understand the interaction of naphthoquinones with biological targets related to PD.

Densely Functionalized Macrocyclic Sesquiterpene Pyridine Alkaloids from Maytenus austroyunnanensis

Eleven densely functionalized new dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoid derivatives, named maytenoids A-K (1-11), as well as one known analog, were isolated and characterized from Maytenus austroyunnanensis. Their structures were assigned based on analysis of spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-9 are macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids generated by the respective acylation of the hydroxy groups at C-3 and C-13 of dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids via diverse pyridine dicarboxylic acids. Compounds 1, 2, 5-10, and 12 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on NO production at 10 μM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells.

A review of how the saffron (Crocus sativus) petal and its main constituents interact with the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways

The primary by-product of saffron (Crocus sativus) processing is saffron petals, which are produced in large quantities but are discarded. The saffron petals contain a variety of substances, including alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, glycosides, kaempferol, and minerals. Pharmacological investigations revealed the antibacterial, antidepressant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antinociceptive, antispasmodic, antitussive, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and renoprotective properties of saffron petals, which are based on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway protects against oxidative stress, carcinogenesis, and inflammation. Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-ĸB) is a protein complex involved in approximately all animal cells and participates in different biological procedures such as apoptosis, cell growth, development, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) transcription, immune response, and inflammation. The pharmacological properties of saffron and its compounds are discussed in this review, along with their associated modes of action, particularly the Nrf2 and NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Without considering a time constraint, our team conducted this review using search engines or electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Saffron petals and their main constituents may have protective effects in numerous organs such as the brain, colon, heart, joints, liver, lung, and pancreas through several mechanisms, including the Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling cascade, which would then result in its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and therapeutic effects.

The biochemical basis of neurodegenerative disease: The role of immunoexcitoxicity and ways to possibly attenuate it

There is growing evidence that inflammation secondary to immune activation is intimately connected to excitotoxicity. We now know that most peripheral tissues contain fully operational glutamate receptors. While most of the available research deals with excitotoxicity in central nervous system (CNS) tissues, this is no longer true. Even plant has been found to contain glutamate receptors. Most of the immune cells, including mask cells, contain glutamate receptors. The receptors are altered by inflammation, both chemokine and cytokines. A host of new diseases have been found that are caused by immunity to certain glutamate receptors, as we see with Rasmussen's encephalitis. In this paper, I try to explain this connection and possible ways to reduce or even stop the reaction.

Polyphenols for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: New Applications and Insights

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Currently, the main therapeutic strategy involves the use of intravenous thrombolysis to restore cerebral blood flow to prevent the transition of the penumbra to the infarct core. However, due to various limitations and complications, including the narrow time window in which this approach is effective, less than 10% of patients benefit from such therapy. Thus, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies, with neuroprotection against the ischemic cascade response after IS being one of the most promising options. In the past few decades, polyphenolic compounds have shown great potential in animal models of IS because of their high biocompatibility and ability to target multiple ischemic cascade signaling pathways, although low bioavailability is an issue that limits the applications of several polyphenols. Here, we review the pathophysiological changes following cerebral ischemia and summarize the research progress regarding the applications of polyphenolic compounds in the treatment of IS over the past 5 years. Furthermore, we discuss several potential strategies for improving the bioavailability of polyphenolic compounds as well as some essential issues that remain to be addressed for the translation of the related therapies to the clinic.

Redox aspects of cytotoxicity and anti-neuroinflammatory profile of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in serum-starved BV-2 microglia

Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have long been used worldwide to treat and prevent human malarias. However, these 4-aminoquinolines have also shown promising potential in treating chronic illnesses with an inflammatory component, including neurological diseases. Given the current demand for serum avoidance during pharmacological testing and modeling of some pathologies, we compared cytotoxicities of CQ and HCQ in both serum-deprived and -fed murine BV-2 microglia. Furthermore, we assessed the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of both compounds in serum-deprived cells. Under both conditions, CQ showed higher cytotoxicity than HCQ. However, the comparable MTT-assay-derived data measured under different serum conditions were associated with disparate cytotoxic mechanisms of CQ and HCQ. In particular, under serum starvation, CQ mildly enhanced secondary ROS, mitochondrial hyperpolarization, and decreased phagocytosis. However, CQ promoted G1 phase cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial depolarization in serum-fed cells. Under both conditions, CQ fostered early apoptosis. Additionally, we confirmed that both compounds could exert anti-inflammatory effects in microglia through interference with MAPK signaling under nutrient-deprivation-related stress. Nevertheless, unlike HCQ, CQ is more likely to exaggerate intracellular prooxidant processes in activated starved microglia, which are inefficiently buffered by Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway activation. These outcomes also show HCQ as a promising anti-neuroinflammatory drug devoid of CQ-mediated cytotoxicity.

Quercetin Abrogates Oxidative Neurotoxicity Induced by Silver Nanoparticles in Wistar Rats

This study aimed to investigate the oxidative neurotoxicity induced by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and assess the neuroprotective effects of quercetin against this toxicity. Forty adult male rats were divided into four equal groups: control, AgNPs (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally), quercetin (50 mg/kg orally), and quercetin + AgNPs. After 30 days, blood and brain tissue samples were collected for further studies. AgNP exposure increased lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities in brain tissue. AgNPs decreased serum acetylcholine esterase activity and γ-aminobutyric acid concentrations. AgNPs upregulated tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and Bax transcript levels. AgNPs reduced the transcripts of claudin-5, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, paraoxonase, nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2 (Nrf2), and Bcl-2. Histopathologically, AgNPs caused various degenerative changes and neuronal necrosis associated with glial cell reactions. AgNPs increased the immunohistochemical staining of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cerebrum and cerebellum. Oral treatment with quercetin efficiently counteracted the opposing effects of AgNPs on brain tissue via modulation of tight junction proteins, Nrf2, and paraoxonase, and its positive mechanism in modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and the downregulation of GFAP expression, and the apoptotic pathway. AgNPs also altered the severity of histopathological lesions and modulated GFAP immunostaining in the examined tissue.

Immune-responsive gene 1/itaconate activates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in microglia to protect against spinal cord injury in mice

The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) involves primary injury and secondary injury. Secondary injury is a major target for SCI therapy, whereas microglia play an important role in secondary injury. The immunoresponsive gene 1 (Irg-1) has been recorded as one of the most significantly upregulated genes in SCI tissues in gene chip data; however, its role in SCI remains unclear. This study aims to illustrate the role of Irg-1 as well as its regulated metabolite itaconate in SCI. It was demonstrated that the expression of Irg-1 was increased in spinal cord tissues in mice as well as in microglia stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). It was also shown that overexpression of Irg-1 may suppress LPS-induced inflammation in microglia, while these protective effects were attenuated by Nrf2 silencing. In vivo, overexpression of Irg-1 was shown to suppress neuroinflammation and improve motor function recovery. Furthermore, treatment of microglia with itaconate demonstrated similar inflammation suppressive effects as Irg-1 overexpression in vitro and improved motor function recovery in vivo. In conclusion, the current study shows that Irg-1 and itaconate are involved in the recovery process of SCI, either Irg-1 overexpression or itaconate treatment may provide a promising strategy for the treatment of SCI.

Natural products are an important source for proteasome regulating agents

BACKGROUND

Natural medicines have a long history in the prevention and treatment of various diseases in East Asian region, especially in China. Modern research has proved that the pharmacological effects of numerous natural medicines involve the participation of ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). UPS can degrade the unwanted and damaged proteins widely distributed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of various eukaryotes.

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study was to review and discuss the regulatory effects of natural products and extracts on proteasome components, which may help to find new proteasome regulators for drug development and clinical applications.

METHODS

The related information was compiled using the major scientific databases, such as CNKI, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, Wiley Online, and GeenMedical. The keywords "natural product" and "proteasome" were applied to extract the literature. Nature derived extracts, compounds and their derivatives involved in proteasome regulation were included, and the publications related to synthetic proteasome agents were excluded.

RESULTS

The pharmacological effects of more than 80 natural products and extracts derived from phytomedicines related to the proteasome regulation were reviewed. These natural products were classified according to their chemical properties. We also summarized some laws of action of natural products as proteasome regulators in the treatment of diseases, and listed the action characteristics of the typical natural products.

CONCLUSION

Natural products derived from nature can induce the degradation of damaged proteins through UPS or act as regulators to directly regulate the activity of proteasome. But few proteasome modulators are applied clinically. Summary of known rules for proteasome modulators will contribute to discover, modify and synthesize more proteasome modulators for clinical applications.

Novel extraction, rapid assessment and bioavailability improvement of quercetin: A review

Quercetin (QUR) have got the attention of scientific society frequently due to their wide range of potential applications. QUR has been the focal point for research in various fields, especially in food development. But, the QUR is highly unstable and can be interrupted by using conventional assessment methods. Therefore, researchers are focusing on novel extraction and non-invasive tools for the non-destructive assessment of QUR. The current review elaborates the different novel extraction (ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and enzyme-assisted extraction) and non-destructive assessment techniques (fluorescence spectroscopy, terahertz spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) for the extraction and identification of QUR in agricultural products. The novel extraction approaches facilitate shorter extraction time, involve less organic solvent, and are environmentally friendly. While the non-destructive techniques are non-interruptive, label-free, reliable, accurate, and environmental friendly. The non-invasive spectroscopic and imaging methods are suitable for the sensitive detection of bioactive compounds than conventional techniques. QUR has potential therapeutic properties such as anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, antiallergic, antineoplastic agent, neuroprotector, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. Besides, due to the low bioavailability of QUR innovative drug delivery strategies (QUR loaded gel, QUR polymeric micelle, QUR nanoparticles, glucan-QUR conjugate, and QUR loaded mucoadhesive nanoemulsions) have been proposed to improve its bioavailability and providing novel therapeutic approaches.

FPS-ZM1 inhibits LPS-induced microglial inflammation by suppressing JAK/STAT signaling pathway

FPS-ZM1 is an inhibitor of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Nevertheless, there are few reports about its direct effects on microglial inflammation, and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be clarified. The present study investigated the potential effects of FPS-ZM1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated microglial inflammation both in vivo and in vitro, and further elucidated the possible molecular mechanisms of action. FPS-ZM1 decreased LPS-induced overproduction of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), in both BV-2 cells and primary microglial cells. FPS-ZM1 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) ameliorated proliferation and activation of microglia in the hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice subjected to LPS challenge (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Meanwhile, overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in the hippocampus was alleviated after treatment with FPS-ZM1. RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis showed involvement of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway in the regulation of FPS-ZM1 on LPS-induced microglial inflammation. Further investigations demonstrated that FPS-ZM1 downregulated LPS-mediated increases in the phosphorylation levels of JAK/STAT both in vivo and in vitro. FPS-ZM1 also suppressed the nuclear translocation of transcription factor STAT1/3/5 in BV-2 cells. In addition, inhibition of JAK/STAT signaling pathway had an anti-inflammatory effect similar to FPS-ZM1 treatment. Taken together, our results verified the inhibitory effects of FPS-ZM1 against LPS-stimulated microglial inflammation, and for the first time demonstrated such anti-inflammatory activities on microglia are associated with regulation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro, which may shed new light on the pharmacological mechanisms of FPS-ZM1 against microglial inflammation.

Cell Clearing Systems as Targets of Polyphenols in Viral Infections: Potential Implications for COVID-19 Pathogenesis

The novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has generated the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, still with an uncertain outcome. Besides pneumonia and acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), other features became evident in the context of COVID-19. These includes endothelial and coagulation dysfunction with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), along with the occurrence of neurological alterations. The multi-system nature of such viral infection is a witness to the exploitation and impairment of ubiquitous subcellular and metabolic pathways for the sake of its life-cycle, ranging from host cell invasion, replication, transmission, up to a cytopathic effect and overt systemic inflammation. In this frame, alterations in cell-clearing systems of the host are emerging as a hallmark in the pathogenesis of various respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, exploitation of the autophagy and proteasome pathways might contribute not only to the replication of the virus at the site of infection but also to the spreading of either mature virions or inflammatory mediators at both cellular and multisystem levels. In this frame, besides a pharmacological therapy, many researchers are wondering if some non-pharmacological substances might counteract or positively modulate the course of the infection. The pharmacological properties of natural compounds have gained increasing attention in the field of alternative and adjunct therapeutic approaches to several diseases. In particular, several naturally-occurring herbal compounds (mostly polyphenols) are reported to produce widespread antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant effects while acting as autophagy and (immuno)-proteasome modulators. This article attempts to bridge the perturbation of autophagy and proteasome pathways with the potentially beneficial effects of specific phytochemicals and flavonoids in viral infections, with a focus on the multisystem SARS-CoV-2 infection.

NRF2 and PPAR-γ Pathways in Oligodendrocyte Progenitors: Focus on ROS Protection, Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Promotion of Cell Differentiation

An adequate protection from oxidative and inflammatory reactions, together with the promotion of oligodendrocyte progenitor (OP) differentiation, is needed to recover from myelin damage in demyelinating diseases. Mitochondria are targets of inflammatory and oxidative insults and are essential in oligodendrocyte differentiation. It is known that nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor/antioxidant responsive element (NRF2/ARE) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma/PPAR-γ response element (PPAR-γ/PPRE) pathways control inflammation and overcome mitochondrial impairment. In this study, we analyzed the effects of activators of these pathways on mitochondrial features, protection from inflammatory/mitochondrial insults and cell differentiation in OP cultures, to depict the specificities and similarities of their actions. We used dimethyl-fumarate (DMF) and pioglitazone (pio) as agents activating NRF2 and PPAR-γ, respectively, and two synthetic hybrids acting differently on the NRF2/ARE pathway. Only DMF and compound 1 caused early effects on the mitochondria. Both DMF and pio induced mitochondrial biogenesis but different antioxidant repertoires. Moreover, pio induced OP differentiation more efficiently than DMF. Finally, DMF, pio and compound 1 protected from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) insult, with pio showing faster kinetics of action and compound 1 a higher activity than DMF. In conclusion, NRF2 and PPAR-γ by inducing partially overlapping pathways accomplish complementary functions aimed at the preservation of mitochondrial function, the defense against oxidative stress and the promotion of OP differentiation.

Drug delivery based pharmacological enhancement and current insights of quercetin with therapeutic potential against oral diseases

The heavy burden of oral diseases such as oral cancers, dental caries, periodontitis, etc. and their consequence on the patient's quality of life demonstrated an urgent demand for developing effective therapeutics. Quercetin as a natural derived flavonoid, could be utilized in the therapeutic formulation of various diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer and asthma, owing to its prominent pharmacological values. In the last decade, the applications of quercetin as a natural compound in oral treatment have attracted increasing interest due to its multifunction including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic activities. Besides, considering the low bioavailability of quercetin, great efforts have been made in its drug delivery systems to address the problem of limited application. Therefore, this review summarized the cutting-edge researches on versatile effects and enhanced bioavailability of quercetin resulting from innovative drug delivery systems, particularly focused on its potential against oral diseases. The application of quercetin would provide novel and promising therapeutic approach for clinical treatment, promoting the development of global dental public health.

CDDO-Me Inhibits Microglial Activation and Monocyte Infiltration by Abrogating NFκB- and p38 MAPK-Mediated Signaling Pathways Following Status Epilepticus

Following status epilepticus (SE, a prolonged seizure activity), microglial activation, and monocyte infiltration result in the inflammatory responses in the brain that is involved in the epileptogenesis. Therefore, the regulation of microglia/monocyte-mediated neuroinflammation is one of the therapeutic strategies for avoidance of secondary brain injury induced by SE. 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me; RTA 402) is an activator of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which regulates intracellular redox homeostasis. In addition, CDDO-Me has anti-inflammatory properties that suppress microglial proliferation and its activation, although the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified. In the present study, CDDO-Me ameliorated monocyte infiltration without vasogenic edema formation in the frontoparietal cortex (FPC) following SE, accompanied by abrogating monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expressions and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, CDDO-Me inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NFκB)-S276 phosphorylation and microglial transformation, independent of Nrf2 expression. Similar to CDDO-Me, SN50 (an NFκB inhibitor) mitigated monocyte infiltration by reducing MCP-1 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in the FPC following SE. Therefore, these findings suggest, for the first time, that CDDO-Me may attenuate microglia/monocyte-mediated neuroinflammation via modulating NFκB- and p38 MAPK-MCP-1 signaling pathways following SE.