Polypeptide-PNP2 in Corn Cervi Pantotrichum Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice by Inhibiting Microglial Cell Activation

We isolated a polypeptide PNP2 from Corn Cervi Pantotrichum and investigated its effect and mechanism on cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice. Morris water maze was used to assess the degree of cognitive impairment in mice. Histopathological changes were detected by H&E staining; the expressions of inflammatory cytokines were assayed by ELISA. Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expressions. PNP2 could improve cognitive impairment, central inflammatory response, and NLRP3 signaling in AD mice. In vitro experiments revealed that PNP2 could suppress the inflammatory response of microglial cells and reduce the activation of NLRP3 in microglial cells, while MCC950 could antagonize the effects of PNP2. Polypeptide component PNP2 in Corn Cervi Pantotrichum can ameliorate central nervous inflammation and cognitive impairment in AD mice by suppressing NLRP3 signaling.