Fig. 4

TFBP and TFNBP significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-5 in plasma and cortex of LPS- challenged animals. TFBP and its analogue TFNBP were evaluated in a LPS model of inflammation in rats (LPS 1 mg/ kg, i.p.). In this model, systemic administration of LPS induces elevations in pro-inflammatory proteins at 4 h in both plasma and brain (cerebral cortex). TFBP (formulated as a suspension in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and administered i.p.) significantly decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (particularly TNF-α and IL-5) in both plasma and cortex, more significantly than TFNBP (A, B; E, F, respectively). A post-treatment reduction of IFN-γ was observed in plasma but not in cerebral cortex (C, D) On this basis, TFBP was selected for further in vivo investigation. *p < .05, **p < .01, ****p < .0001 vs saline control group. ^#p < .05, ^##p < .01, ^###p < .001, ^####p < .0001 vs LPS-treated group. ‘N value of animals’ shown at the base of each bar within brackets