Figure 3.
Baicalein inhibited inflammasome dependent pyroptosis induced by N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). (A) Quantitative PCR analysis of mRNA relative expression of proinflammatory cytokines in brain substantia nigra (SN) tissue from indicated mice (n = 5/group). Data were normalized to a reference gene, Hprt. (B) ELISA analysis of protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines in brain SN tissue from indicated mice (n = 5/group). (C) Immune blotting analysis of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD (full-length and cleaved form) in the brain SN tissue from indicated mice (n = 3/group). Data are shown as representative plots (C) and quantified immunoblotting bands (D). (E–F) Flow-cytometric analysis of caspase-1+ PI+ cells from brain tissue (n = 3/group). Data are shown as representative plots (E) and quantified percentages (F). *P < .05, **P < .01, ***P < .001 vs control group. #P < .05, ##P < .01, ###P < .001 vs MPTP group. Data are expressed as means ± SEM.