Pterostilbene exerts anti-neuroinflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia via inhibition of MAPK signalling pathways

•Pterostilbene inhibited MAPK signalling pathways and the level of pro-inflammatory mediators in LPS-activated microglia.•The inhibitory effect of pterostilbene on neuroinflammation was confirmed in vivo by using a rat neuroinflammation model.•Pterostilbene possessed neuroprotective anti-inflammatory property that may benefit neurodegenerative diseases. The present study investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of pterostilbene. The data demonstrated that pterostilbene significantly suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and iNOS mRNA expression in BV-2 microglial cells. Pterostilbene significantly inhibits LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α production and mRNA expression and the phosphorylation of MAPKs. The effect of pterostilbene on neuroinflammation was further confirmed in vivo using a rat neuroinflammation model. Immunohistochemical study indicated that pterostilbene mitigates LPS-induced microglial activation in rat hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG). Pterostilbene significantly inhibits LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in rat hippocampus and their amount in rat serum. This study demonstrated that pterostilbene possesses anti-neuroinflammatory property, suggesting its potential as a dietary supplement that benefits neurodegenerative diseases associated with neuroinflammation.