GELIFES Seminars - Maggie Pui Man Hoi

Link to seminar

Maggie Pui Man Hoi (University of Macau)

Discovery of anti-inflammatory agents from natural products for neurological disorders

Neuroinflammation is a key pathological feature of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Microglia and astrocytes play pivotal roles in brain homeostasis; however, their aberrant interactions can exacerbate inflammatory responses and metabolic dysregulation. We investigate natural compounds from medicinal herbs as potential anti-inflammatory agents. Among these, β-carboline alkaloids such as canthin-6-one demonstrate promising neuroprotective effects due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic regulatory properties. Using an in vitro astrocyte model treated with conditioned medium from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia, we found that canthin-6-one restored astrocytic metabolic function by modulating the expression of PPARγ, GLUT1, and EAAT1 and reduced oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. Canthin-6-one also improved vascular integrity by stabilizing endothelial junction proteins and attenuating inflammatory markers. In vivo studies using zebrafish larvae showed that canthin-6-one ameliorated LPS-induced behavioural deficits and neuroinflammatory responses. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of β-carboline alkaloids in mitigating neuroinflammation and vascular dysfunction, offering a multi-targeted strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. Natural products may serve as promising candidates for the development of neuroprotective therapies that concurrently address glial dysregulation, metabolic impairment, and vascular pathology.

Biosketch:
Maggie Pui Man HOI is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) at the University of Macau (UM). She received her BSc in Pharmacology from University College London (UCL) and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. Her research centers on the pharmacological evaluation of small molecules and natural compounds, with a focus on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Her recent work explores the role of reactive astrocytes and their interactions with microglia and brain endothelial cells in the context of aging and dementia. Utilizing transgenic animal models including mice and zebrafish models and cellular co-culture systems, her studies aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroinflammatory responses.