Potential anti-neuroinflammatory triterpenoids isolated from Chinese acorns (Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata)

Chinese acorns are served as a healthy food supplementary and cuisine in the local residents. The anti-neuroinflammatory phytochemicals of Chinese acorns have been investigated in this study. Four new triterpenoids (1, 8, 16 and 17), together with thirteen known congeners (2-7, 9-15), were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. The isolated compounds were evaluated for anti-neuroinflammatory activity. Some triterpenoids showed obvious inhibitory effects on the production of nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in microglia cells (BV-2). Compounds 1, 2, and 16 could dose-dependently reduce the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediator iNOS, while compounds 1, 2, 8 and 16 could dose-dependently reduce the COX-2 expression induced by LPS in BV-2 cells. This study suggested that Chinese acorns could be served as healthy product for neuroinflammatory related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.