Figure 3.

Protective effect of artesunate treatment on cytokines and iNOS expression. (B,F) Showed a significant increase of expression for IL-1β and TNF-α respectively, 24 h after TBI injury compared with sham group (A,E). When compared with vehicle group, brain section from mice treated with artesunate show a significant reduction in IL-1β and TNF-α respectively (C,G), see densitometric analysis (D) for IL-1β, and (H) for TNF-α. The immunohistochemical analysis for iNOS, show that 24 h after TBI injury in the vehicle group there is a significant increase in iNOS expression as show in (J) compared with sham group (I). While as show in (K) treatment with artesunate significantly reduce the iNOS expression compared to vehicle group, see densitometric analysis (L). Data are expressed as Mean ± SEM from N = 10 Mice for each group. ***P < 0.001 vs. corresponding sham group. ^##P < 0.01 vs. respective TBI. ^###P < 0.001 vs. corresponding TBI. (F-value for IL-1β = 57.84. df = 2. r² = 0.9507) (F-value for TNF-α = 30.01. df = 2. r² = 0.9091) (F-value for iNOS = 45.29. df = 2. r² = 0.883).