Tetrandrine improves cognitive dysfunction induced by adolescent social isolation via regulating microglia polarization in mice

Western blot was used to detect the expression of IL-18, TNF-a, PSD-95 and SYN-1. The SI group mice demonstrated a pronounced reduction in the discrimination ratio during the novel object recognition, microglial process length, mRNA expression of the M2 macrophage marker ARG1, and protein expression of PSD-95 and SYN-1 compared to GH mice. Conversely, the number and cell body size of IBA-1+ microglial cells, mRNA expression of M1 macrophage marker INOS, and protein expression of IL-18 and TNF-a were increased.

However, after the administration of tetrandrine, all of the above phenomena were significantly improved. Tetrandrine mitigates adolescent social isolation induced cognitive dysfunction by modulating microglial polarization and suppressing inflammatory factor release, thereby safeguarding neural synapses.