Fig. 5From: Sinomenine inhibits amyloid beta-induced astrocyte activation and protects neurons against indirect toxicitySinomenine inhibits oligomeric amyloid beta-induced production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in human astrocytes. The human astrocytes were treated with oligomeric amyloid beta (ADDL) in the absence or presence of sinomenine, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were assayed. a Effect of sinomenine on ADDL-induced increase in ROS level. The astrocytes treated with ADDL showed higher level of ROS. Sinomenine inhibited ADDL-induced increase in the level of ROS (n = 3). Sinomenine did not affect the level of ROS in the cells that were not treated with ADDL. b Effect of sinomenine on ADDL-induced production of NO. Treatment of astrocytes with ADDL led to a significant increase in the level of NO, whereas sinomenine inhibited ADDL-induced increase in NO level (n = 3). Sinomenine had no significant effect on NO level in the absence of ADDL treatment. Asterisks indicate significant difference from control (p < 0.05). # indicates significant difference (p < 0.05) between groups as indicatedBack to article page