The C-terminal fragment of the heavy chain of the tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx) improves motor activity and neuronal morphology in the limbic system of aged mice

Neurotrophic fragments as therapeutic alternatives to ameliorate brain aging

Aging is a global phenomenon and a complex biological process of all living beings that introduces various changes. During this physiological process, the brain is the most affected organ due to changes in its structural and chemical functions, such as changes in plasticity and decrease in the number, diameter, length, and branching of dendrites and dendritic spines. Likewise, it presents a great reduction in volume resulting from the contraction of the gray matter. Consequently, aging can affect not only cognitive functions, including learning and memory, but also the quality of life of older people. As a result of the phenomena, various molecules with notable neuroprotective capacity have been proposed, which provide a therapeutic alternative for people under conditions of aging or some neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to indicate that in recent years the use of molecules with neurotrophic activity has shown interesting results when evaluated in in vivo models. This review aims to describe the neurotrophic potential of molecules such as resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene), neurotrophins (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and neurotrophic-type compounds such as the terminal carboxyl domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin, cerebrolysin, neuropeptide-12, and rapamycin. Most of these molecules have been evaluated by our research group. Studies suggest that these molecules exert an important therapeutic potential, restoring brain function in aging conditions or models of neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, our interest is in describing the current scientific evidence that supports the therapeutic potential of these molecules with active neurotrophic.

Polygonatum sibiricum ameliorated cognitive impairment of naturally aging rats through BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway

Cognitive dysfunction is high in the elderly population and seriously affects the quality of life. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the key neurotrophic proteins, and activation of BDNF-TrkB is considered an effective strategy to improve cognitive dysfunction during aging. In this study, administration of polygonatum sibiricum (PS) for 5 months effectively ameliorates the cognitive function, improving the Nissl body state in cortex and hippocampus in aging rats. In addition, PS can improve the synaptic structure and increase the number of synapses. Furthermore, PS reverses the reduction of synaptic plasticity-related proteins postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and synaptophysin during aging and up-regulates the expression of BDNF-TrkB. In conclusion, PS improves cognitive dysfunction and enhances synaptic plasticity in naturally aged rats by regulating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway. PS has the potential to be developed as a novel and promising functional health food for the elderly. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Polygonatum sibiricum (PS) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been included in the homologous plant of medicine and food. PS has been widely used to treat lung diseases, diabetes and antiaging in clinical. Studies have confirmed that PS can accelerate the repair and regeneration of damaged neurons, reverse the changes in synaptic structure, and improve the ability of learning and memory. Our study confirmed that PS significantly improved the cognitive function in aging rats. PS has great potential to be developed as a functional food for improving neurological function and anti-aging.