Therapeutic effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidin in cuprizone-induced demyelination.

Demyelinating diseases of the CNS, including multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and acute disseminated encephalomylitis, are characterized by recurrent primary demyelination-remyelination and progressive neurodegeneration. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC), the most effective component of grape seed extract, in cuprizone-fed C57BL/6 mice, a classic demyelination-remyelination model. Our results showed that OPC attenuated abnormal behaviour, reduced demyelination and increased expression of myelin basic protein and expression of O4+ oligodendrocytes in the corpus callosum. Oligomeric proanthocyanidin also reduced the numbers of B and T cells, activated microglia in the corpus callosum and inhibited secretion of inflammatory factors. Furthermore, concentrations of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-specific antibodies were significantly reduced in serum and brain homogenates after OPC treatment. Together, these results demonstrate a potent therapeutic effect for OPC in cuprizone-mediated demyelination and clearly highlight multiple effects of this natural product in attenuating myelin-specific autoantibodies and the inflammatory microenvironment in the brain.