MANGIFERIN MODULATES ASTROGLIOSIS, MICROGLIAL ACTIVATION AND REDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS INDUCED BY MURINE CEREBRAL MALARIA.

Changes in the astrocytes is one the consequences in the progression of the murine cerebral malaria (MCM). The cerebral malaria (CM) is the most common clinical manifestation of infection caused by P. falciparum. This disease causes severe and irreversible neurological complications. The astrogliosis and microglial activation, which occur due to intense local neuroinflammation, cause important alterations in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In addition, the presence of parasitized erythrocytes in the cerebral microcirculation stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), triggering oxidative stress processes which in CM has also been associated with damage to the integrity of the BBB. The association between oxidative stress and neuroinflammation has been identified as responsible for the neurological alterations observed in CM and which are induced by BBB disruption. Our group demonstrated that mangiferin (Mgf) has a neuroprotective effect against behavioral changes caused by MCM. Mangiferin is present in trees of the Mangifera indica species, anti-inflammatory activity and appears as a possible ally in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases.