Nervonic acid regulates the oxidative imbalance in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Abstract

We aimed this study at investigating the effect of nervonic acid on inflammation, and the potential mechanisms underlying the action of nervonic acid in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 mice. During the study, we divided the mice into six groups: Model group, Control group, Drug group, and Nervonic acid groups(three different doses). This study observed the effects of nervonic acid (NA) on inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord of mice by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and Luxol Fast Blue (LFB). Combining biochemical evaluation and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis was evaluated as the expression of antioxidant proteins and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our results indicated that treatment with nervonic acid significantly inhibited the development and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice, accompanied by mitigating inflammatory infiltration and demyelination in the spinal cord of mice, and increased the expression of antioxidant proteins and anti-inflammatory cytokines. So, nervonic acid may be a promising candidate for intervention in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases as a potential new treatment option for treating multiple sclerosis.