Apocynin, a Low Molecular Oral Treatment for Neurodegenerative Disease

Figure 2

Inhibition of microglia Nox2 by metabolically activated apocynin. Receptor-mediated activation of microglia cells induces production of reactive oxygen species and release of myeloperoxidase (MPO). The MPO-catalyzed reaction of apocynin with H₂O₂ leads to production of a reactive intermediate that stabilizes by binding to free thiol groups, for example, GSH, or by dimerization. Dimeric apocynin (diapocynin) inhibits Nox2 activity.