TNF and sexually transmitted disease: As expected, RCIR induced regeneration and activation of microglia and also promoted the release of PICs (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β); whereas NBP not only significantly limited the proliferation of microglia and decreased the protein levels of Iba-1 but also reduced the release of PICs in the hippocampus of the VD mouse model induced by RCIR injury, suggesting that NBP mediated neuroprotection against RCIR injury, at least partially, through inactivation of microglia and inhibition of PICs release.