Role of toll-like receptors in multiple sclerosis and inhibiting effect of cinnamaldehyde on them

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a kind of transmememal protein receptors, which can aggravate the progress of multiple sclerosis (MS) by mediating inflammatory response, activating microglia cells and inducing their transformation into M1 type, promoting CD4+T cells to differentiate into Th1 and Th17 cells, and inducing the overexpression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is the main component of cinnamon, which can inhibit the activity of TLRs and has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, and may play an active role in the treatment of MS. This paper will focus on the relations between TLRs and MS and how CA inhibits TLRs. Key words: Multiple sclerosis; Cinnamaldehyde; Toll-like receptor