Microglia-induced neurotoxicity occurs when inflammation mediated by microglia causes loss of neuronal structures or functions in the central nervous system implicated in stroke, spinal cord injury, sepsis, neurodegenerative diseases and even psychiatric illnesses. Various co-culture in vitro microglia-induced neurotoxicity (MINT) models have been established to enable an in-depth study of this process and yet there is a dearth of information regarding usages, advantages and limitations of each of the components of this model. In this review, we examined 56 MINTs for the cells, stimuli, parameters, methods of neurotoxicity measurement and formats of co-culture used in their construction. We aim to provide foundational information, overall guideline and framework for the novice researcher to develop his/her own model and for the advancement of improved, novel and more representative MINT models.
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (CA) is a well- known plant used to improve brain and memory functions in traditional
medicine. Scientifically it was proven to show neurogenic effect on neural cell lines and in rat’s hippocampus. Its effect
on spinal cord (SC) neurons, however, have not been studied. Aim of this study was to investigate the effects of raw
extract of CA (RECA) on neurite outgrowths in an organotypic model of SC injury (OMSCI). OMSCI was prepared using SC
slices obtained from postnatal-day 8 rat pups. Spinal cord tissues were embedded in gelatine gel and sliced to produce
300 µm thick slices. These slices were 100% viable for 8 days in culture. RECA, in concentrations of 0-800 µg/mL was
added to the OMSCI media for 7 days, followed by immunostaining for TUJ-1 and GFAP. The investigated parameters
were mean neurite count, mean neurite length, mean longest neurite and growth ratio. The tested RECA concentrations
showed no cytotoxicity. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests showed no significant difference between groups in all the tested
parameters. This may be due to low content of neurotrophic bioactive compounds content in the extract, which probably
due to differences in geographical location, extraction method and absence of neurotrophic factors in the media. In
conclusion, the tested RECA concentration were found to be safe; but without notable neurotrophic effects on the spinal
cord organotypic model as demonstrated in this study.