β-Asarone Inhibits IRE1/XBP1 Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in 6-OHDA-Induced Parkinsonian Rats

β-asarone protects against age-related motor decline via activation of SKN-1/Nrf2 and subsequent induction of GST-4

Decelerating motor decline is important for promoting healthy aging in the elderly population. Acorus tatarinowii Schott is a traditional Chinese medicine that contains β-asarone as a pharmacologically active constituent. We found that β-asarone can decelerate motor decline in various age groups of Caenorhabditis elegans, while concurrently prolonging their lifespan and modulating synaptic transmission. To understand the mechanisms of its efficacy in motor improvement, we investigated and discovered that mitochondrial fragmentation, a marker for aging, is delayed after β-asarone treatment. Moreover, their efficacy is blocked by dysfunctional mitochondria. Corresponding to their role in regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, we found that SKN-1/Nrf2 and GST-4 are critical in the β-asarone treatment, and they appear to be activated via the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway. Well-developed intestinal microvilli are required for this process. Our study demonstrates the efficacy and mechanism of β-asarone treatment in age-related motor decline, contributing to the discovery of drugs for achieving healthy aging.

Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser: Insight into current research on ethnopharmacological use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics

A. calamus var. angustatus Besser is an important traditional medicinal herb commonly used in China and other Asian countries. This study is the first systematic review of the literature to thoroughly analyze the ethnopharmacological application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacokinetic properties of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser and provides a rationale for future research and prospects for application in clinical treatment. Information on relevant studies investigating A. calamus var. angustatus Besser was collected from SciFinder, the Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Elsevier, ResearchGate, ACS, Flora of China, and Baidu Scholar, etc. up to December 2022. In addition, information was also obtained from Pharmacopeias, books on Chinese herbal classics, local books, as well as PhD and MS dissertations. A. calamus var. angustatus Besser has played an important role in the herbal treatment of coma, convulsion, amnesia, and dementia for thousands of years. Studies investigating the chemical constituents of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser have isolated and identified 234 small-molecule compounds and a few polysaccharides. Among them, simple phenylpropanoids represented by asarone analogues and lignans are the two main active ingredients, which can be considered characteristic chemotaxonomic markers of this herb. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies indicated that crude extracts and active compounds from A. calamus var. angustatus Besser display a wide range of pharmacological activities, especially as treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and anticonvulsant, antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, anti-fatigue, anti-Parkinson, neuroprotection, and brain protection properties, providing more evidence to explain the traditional medicinal uses and ethnopharmacology. The clinical therapeutic dose of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser does not present any toxic effects, but its main active ingredients α-asarone and β-asarone at excessive dose may lead to toxicity, and in particular, their respective epoxide metabolites may exert potential toxicity to the liver. This review provides a reference and further information for the future development and clinical application of A. calamus var. angustatus Besser.

The functional role of Ire1 in regulating autophagy and proteasomal degradation under prolonged proteotoxic stress

Inhibition of endoribonuclease/kinase Ire1 has shown beneficial effects in many proteotoxicity-induced pathology models. The mechanism by which this occurs has not been elucidated completely. Using a proteotoxic yeast model of Huntington's disease, we show that the deletion of Ire1 led to lower protein aggregation at longer time points. The rate of protein degradation was higher in ΔIre1 cells. We monitored the two major protein degradation mechanisms in the cell. The increase in expression of Rpn4, coding for the transcription factor controlling proteasome biogenesis, was higher in ΔIre1 cells. The chymotrypsin-like proteasomal activity was also significantly enhanced in these cells at later time points of aggregation. The gene and protein expression levels of the autophagy gene Atg8 were higher in ΔIre1 than in wild-type cells. Significant increase in autophagy flux was also seen in ΔIre1 cells at later time points of aggregation. The results suggest that the deletion of Ire1 activates UPR-independent arms of the proteostasis network, especially under conditions of aggravated stress. Thus, the inhibition of Ire1 may regulate UPR-independent cellular stress-response pathways under prolonged stress.

Therapeutic Potential of Active Components from Acorus gramineus and Acorus tatarinowii in Neurological Disorders and Their Application in Korean Medicine

Neurological disorders represent a substantial healthcare burden worldwide due to population aging. Acorus gramineus Solander (AG) and Acorus tatarinowii Schott (AT), whose major component is asarone, have been shown to be effective in neurological disorders. This review summarized current information from preclinical and clinical studies regarding the effects of extracts and active components of AG and AT (e.g., α-asarone and β-asarone) on neurological disorders and biomedical targets, as well as the mechanisms involved. Databases, including PubMed, Embase, and RISS, were searched using the following keywords: asarone, AG, AT, and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression and anxiety, epilepsy, and stroke. Meta-analyses and reviews were excluded. A total of 873 studies were collected. A total of 89 studies were selected after eliminating studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Research on neurological disorders widely reported that extracts or active components of AG and AT showed therapeutic efficacy in treating neurological disorders. These components also possessed a wide array of neuroprotective effects, including reduction of pathogenic protein aggregates, antiapoptotic activity, modulation of autophagy, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, regulation of neurotransmitters, activation of neurogenesis, and stimulation of neurotrophic factors. Most of the included studies were preclinical studies that used in vitro and in vivo models, and only a few clinical studies have been performed. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on AG and AT therapeutic effects as a basis for further clinical studies, and clinical trials are required before these findings can be applied to human neurological disorders.

Advances in extraction methods, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, molecular targets and toxicology of volatile oil from Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser

Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser (ATT) is a traditional herb with a long medicinal history. The volatile oil of ATT (VOA) does possess many pharmacological activities. It can restore the vitality of the brain, nervous system and myocardial cells. It is used to treat various central system, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It also showed antibacterial and antioxidant activity. Many studies have explored the benefits of VOA scientifically. This paper reviews the extraction methods, chemical components, pharmacological activities and toxicology of VOA. The molecular mechanism of VOA was elucidated. This paper will serve as a comprehensive resource for further carrying the VOA on improving its medicinal value and clinical use.

Oxalate-induced apoptosis through ERS-ROS-NF-κB signalling pathway in renal tubular epithelial cell

Background

Kidney stones are composed of approximately 70–80% calcium oxalate. However, the exact mechanism of formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the NF-κB signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of oxalate-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury and its possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods

We established a model to evaluate the formation of kidney stones by intraperitoneal injection of glyoxylic acid solution into mice and assessed cell morphology, apoptosis, and the expression levels of ERS, ROS, and NF-κB signalling pathway-related proteins in mouse renal tissues. Next, we treated HK-2 cells with potassium oxalate to construct a renal tubular epithelial cell injury model. We detected the changes in autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential and investigated the ultrastructure of the cells by transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting revealed the expression levels of apoptosis and autophagy proteins; mitochondrial structural and functional proteins; and ERS, ROS, and NF-κB (p65) proteins. Lastly, we studied the downregulation of NF-κB activity in HK-2 cells by lentivirus interference and confirmed the interaction between the NF-κB signalling and ERS/ROS pathways.

Results

We observed swelling of renal tissues, increased apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, and activation of the ERS, ROS, and NF-κB signalling pathways in the oxalate group. We found that oxalate induced autophagy, apoptosis, and mitochondrial damage in HK-2 cells and activated the ERS/ROS/NF-κB pathways. Interestingly, when the NF-κB signalling pathway was inhibited, the ERS/ROS pathway was also inhibited.

Conclusion

Oxalate induces HK-2 cell injury through the interaction between the NF-κB signalling and ERS/ROS pathways.

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Asarone in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, associated with an aging population, has intensified the societal burden associated with these diseases, for which no effective treatment strategies currently exist. Therefore, the identification and development of novel therapeutic approaches, able to halt or reverse neuronal loss by targeting the underlying causal factors that lead to neurodegeneration and neuronal cell death, are urgently necessary. Plants and other natural products have been explored as sources of safe, naturally occurring secondary metabolites with potential neuroprotective properties. The secondary metabolites α- and β-asarone can be found in high levels in the rhizomes of the medicinal plant Acorus calamus (L.). α- and β-asarone exhibit multiple pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current research on the therapeutic potential of α- and β-asarone in the treatment of neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as cerebral ischemic disease, and epilepsy. Current research indicates that α- and β-asarone exert neuroprotective effects by mitigating oxidative stress, abnormal protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic factor deficit, and promoting neuronal cell survival, as well as activating various neuroprotective signalling pathways. Although the beneficial effects exerted by α- and β-asarone have been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo animal studies, additional research is required to translate laboratory results into safe and effective therapies for patients with AD, PD, and other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.

Phytotherapeutics Against Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanism, Molecular Targets and Challenges for Drug Development

Alzheimer's disease is inflating worldwide and is combatted by only a few approved drugs. At best, these drugs treat symptomatic conditions by targeting cholinesterase and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Most of the clinical trials in progress are focused to develop disease-modifying agents that aim single targets. The 'one drug-one target' approach is failing in the case of Alzheimer's disease due to its labyrinth etiopathogenesis. Traditional medicinal systems like ayurveda uses a holistic approach encompassing legion of medicinal plants exhibiting multimodal activity. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have catapulted the research in the arena of ayurveda, specifically in identifying plants with potent anti-Alzheimer's disease properties and their phytochemical characterization. Nonetheless, clinical trials of very few herbal medicines are in progress. This review is a compendium of Indian plants and ayurvedic medicines against Alzheimer's disease and their paraphernalia. A record of 230 plants that are found in India with anti-Alzheimer's disease potential and about 500 phytochemicals from medicinal plants has been solicited with the hope of exploring the unexplored. Further, the molecular targets of phytochemicals isolated from commonly used medicinal plants such as Acorus calamus, Bacopa monnieri, Convolvulus pluricaulis, Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera have been reviewed with respect to their multidimensional property such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-aggregation, synaptic plasticity modulation, cognition and memory enhancing activity. In addition, the strengths, and challenges in ayurvedic medicine that limit its use as mainstream therapy is discussed and a framework for the development of herbal medicine has been proposed.

Natural Phytochemicals as Novel Therapeutic Strategies to Prevent and Treat Parkinson's Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative chronic disease affecting both cognitive performance and motor functions in aged people. Yet despite the prevalence of this disease, the current therapeutic options for the management of PD can only alleviate motor symptoms. Research has explored novel substances for naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals with potential therapeutic benefits for PD patients through their neuroprotective mechanism, targeting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, abnormal protein accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neurotrophic factor deficit, and apoptosis. The aim of the present study is to perform a comprehensive evaluation of naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals with neuroprotective or therapeutic activities in PD, focusing on their neuropharmacological mechanisms, including modulation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, growth factor induction, neurotransmitter activity, direct regulation of mitochondrial apoptotic machinery, prevention of protein aggregation via modulation of protein folding, modification of cell signaling pathways, enhanced systemic immunity, autophagy, and proteasome activity. In addition, we provide data showing the relationship between nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and PD is supported by studies demonstrating that antiparkinsonian phytochemicals can activate the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway and Nrf2-dependent protein expression, preventing cellular oxidative damage and PD. Furthermore, we explore several experimental models that evaluated the potential neuroprotective efficacy of antioxidant phytochemical derivatives for their inhibitory effects on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brain. Finally, we highlight recent developments in the nanodelivery of antioxidant phytochemicals and its neuroprotective application against pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress. In conclusion, naturally derived antioxidant phytochemicals can be considered as future pharmaceutical drug candidates to potentially alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of PD. However, further well-designed clinical studies are required to evaluate the protective and therapeutic benefits of phytochemicals as promising drugs in the management of PD.

Research Progress on Natural Product Ingredients' Therapeutic Effects on Parkinson's Disease by Regulating Autophagy

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease in middle-aged and older adults. Abnormal proteins such as α-synuclein are essential factors in PD's pathogenesis. Autophagy is the main participant in the clearance of abnormal proteins. The overactive or low function of autophagy leads to autophagy stress. Not only is it difficult to clear abnormal proteins but also it can cause damage to neurons. In this article, the effects of natural products ingredients, such as salidroside, paeoniflorin, curcumin, resveratrol, corynoxine, and baicalein, on regulating autophagy and protecting neurons were discussed in detail to provide a reference for the research and development of drugs for the treatment of PD.

Essential Oils as a Potential Neuroprotective Remedy for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review

Despite the improvements in life expectancy, neurodegenerative conditions have arguably become the most dreaded maladies of older people. The neuroprotective and anti-ageing potentials of essential oils (EOs) are widely evaluated around the globe. The objective of this review is to analyse the effectiveness of EOs as neuroprotective remedies among the four common age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The literature was extracted from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar) between the years of 2010 to 2020 using the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms "essential oil", crossed with "Alzheimer's disease (AD)", "Huntington's disease (HD)", "Parkinson's disease (PD)" or "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)". Eighty three percent (83%) of the studies were focused on AD, while another 12% focused on PD. No classifiable study was recorded on HD or ALS. EO from Salvia officinalis has been recorded as one of the most effective acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. However, only Cinnamomum sp. has been assessed for its effectiveness in both AD and PD. Our review provided useful evidence on EOs as potential neuroprotective remedies for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Excitotoxicity as a Target Against Neurodegenerative Processes

The global burden of neurodegenerative diseases is alarmingly increasing in parallel to the aging of population. Although the molecular mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration are not completely understood, excitotoxicity, defined as the injury and death of neurons due to excessive or prolonged exposure to excitatory amino acids, has been shown to play a pivotal role. The increased release and/or decreased uptake of glutamate results in dysregulation of neuronal calcium homeostasis, leading to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions, disturbances in protein turn-over and neuroinflammation. Despite the anti-excitotoxic drug memantine has shown modest beneficial effects in some patients with dementia, to date, there is no effective treatment capable of halting or curing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This has led to a growing body of research focusing on understanding the mechanisms associated with the excitotoxic insult and on uncovering potential therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms. In the present review, we examine the molecular mechanisms related to excitotoxic cell death. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive and updated state of the art of preclinical and clinical investigations targeting excitotoxic- related mechanisms in order to provide an effective treatment against neurodegeneration.

Congrong Shujing Granule-Induced GRP78 Expression Reduced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Neuronal Apoptosis in the Midbrain in a Parkinson's Disease Rat Model

The main pathological changes inherent in Parkinson's disease (PD) are degeneration and loss of dopamine neurons in the midbrain and formation of Lewy bodies. Many studies have shown that the pathogenesis of PD is closely related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidative stress. This study combined various traditional Chinese medicines to prepare Congrong Shujing granules (CSGs). The optimal dose combination of the ingredients was identified by experimental intervention in SH-SY5Y cells in vitro. A PD rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of rotenone sunflower oil emulsion. The suspension tests were performed on the 14th day after modeling and also on the 14th day after CSG intervention (5.88 g/kg, 11.76 g/kg, and 23.52 g/kg). We evaluated the changes in motor function and the expression of neuronal cell functional marker proteins, ER stress (ERS) marker proteins, and apoptosis-related pathway proteins of neuronal cells. Changes in cellular ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopy. Our results showed that CSG treatment lengthened the duration of PD rats' gripping to the wire. 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) expression in the substantia nigra was significantly upregulated in the middle- and high-dose CSG groups after 14 days of treatment compared with the model group. The expression of the key dopaminergic neuron functional enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) was elevated. The expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated c-Jun decreased, and cell apoptosis was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had fewer ER fragmentation and degranulation (ribosome shedding) and abundant ER and mitochondria suggesting that CSG reduced ER stress and neuronal apoptosis in the midbrain of a PD rat model by inducing the expression of molecular chaperone GRP78.

Role of Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) in Neurological and Metabolic Disorders: Evidence from Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Study

Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn. (Acoraceae)) is a traditional Indian medicinal herb, which is practiced to treat a wide range of health ailments, including neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, metabolic, kidney, and liver disorders. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date report on its ethnomedicinal use, phytochemistry, and pharmacotherapeutic potential, while identifying potential areas for further research. To date, 145 constituents have been isolated from this herb and identified, including phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenoids, and monoterpenes. Compelling evidence is suggestive of the biopotential of its various extracts and active constituents in several metabolic and neurological disorders, such as anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-obesity effects. The present extensive literature survey is expected to provide insights into the involvement of several signaling pathways and oxidative mechanisms that can mitigate oxidative stress, and other indirect mechanisms modulated by active biomolecules of A. calamus to improve neurological and metabolic disorders.

The PERK-Dependent Molecular Mechanisms as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Higher prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is strictly connected with progressive aging of the world population. Interestingly, a broad range of age-related, neurodegenerative diseases is characterized by a common pathological mechanism-accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins within the cells. Under certain circumstances, such protein aggregates may evoke endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress conditions and subsequent activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathways via the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-dependent manner. Under mild to moderate ER stress, UPR has a pro-adaptive role. However, severe or long-termed ER stress conditions directly evoke shift of the UPR toward its pro-apoptotic branch, which is considered to be a possible cause of neurodegeneration. To this day, there is no effective cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), or prion disease. Currently available treatment approaches for these diseases are only symptomatic and cannot affect the disease progression. Treatment strategies, currently under detailed research, include inhibition of the PERK-dependent UPR signaling branches. The newest data have reported that the use of small-molecule inhibitors of the PERK-mediated signaling branches may contribute to the development of a novel, ground-breaking therapeutic approach for neurodegeneration. In this review, we critically describe all the aspects associated with such targeted therapy against neurodegenerative proteopathies.

Changqin NO. 1 inhibits neuronal apoptosis via suppressing GAS5 expression in a traumatic brain injury mice model

The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism of the traditional Chinese medicine Changqin NO. 1 on the amelioration of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Adult male C57BL/6J mice and newborn mice were used to generate a mouse TBI model and harvest primary neurons, respectively. The localizations of specific neural markers neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1), growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and microtubule-associated protein Tau (Tau) were examined in brain tissues by immunohistochemistry. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling apoptotic cell detection in tissue sections and the CCK-8 cell viability assay were performed to examine neuronal apoptosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were also carried out in this study. The association between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) growth-arrest specific 5 (GAS5), miR-335 and RAS p21 GTPase activating protein 1 (Rasa1) was disclosed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Changqin NO. 1 inhibited TBI-induced neuronal apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. GAS5 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-335 to upregulate Rasa1 expression in mouse neuronal cells. Further investigations demonstrated that GAS5 promoted neuronal apoptosis following TBI via the miR-335/Rasa1 axis. In vivo experiments indicated that Changqin NO. 1 exerted neuroprotection during TBI via the GAS5/miR-335/Rasa1 axis. Changqin NO. 1 promoted neuroprotective effects by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis via the GAS5/miR-335/Rasa1 axis in TBI.

Apelin-36 mitigates MPTP/MPP+-induced neurotoxicity: Involvement of α-synuclein and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra compacta (SNpc) which leads to the behavioral dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Apelin-36 on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP)/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced neurotoxicity. The treatment with Apelin-36 significantly alleviated the MPTP-induced the behavioral dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the SNpc of mice, and also remarkably decreased the MPP⁺-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, Apelin-36 reversed the MPTP/MPP⁺-induced loss of TH expression and the induction of α-synuclein expression. Additionally, Apelin-36 significantly attenuated the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) indicated by the inhibition of GRP78, CHOP and cleaved caspase-12 expression in MPTP/MPP⁺ treated mice and cells. Taken together, the results indicated that Apelin-36 attenuates MPTP/MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity, and suggested that Apelin-36 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD.

Apelin-13 protects dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model mice through inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and promoting autophagy

The dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the substantia nigrapars compacta (SNpc) and striatum of the midbrain is the important pathological feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been shown that autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) are involved in the occurrence and development of PD. The neuropeptide Apelin-13 is neuroprotective in the neurological diseases such as PD, Alzheimer's disease and cerebral ischemic stroke. In the present work, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Apelin-13 on ERS and autophagy in the dopaminergic neurodegeneration of SNpc of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP)-treated mice. The intranigral injection of Apelin-13 alleviated the behavioral dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by MPTP. After the exposure to MPTP, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was significantly decreased as well as the increased α-synuclein expression, which was significantly reversed by the intranigral injection of Apelin-13. Also, Apelin-13 significantly reversed the decreasing autophagy induced by MPTP which was indicated by the up-regulation of LC3B-II and Beclin1 and down-regulation of p62. And MPTP-induced ERS such as IRE1α, XBP1s, CHOP and GRP78 was significantly inhibited by Apelin-13. Taken together, Apelin-13 protects dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced PD model mice in vivo through inhibiting ERS and promoting autophagy, which contributes to the therapy for PD in the future.

Translocator Protein Ligand Protects against Neurodegeneration in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinsonism

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, after Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder with characteristic motor features that arise due to the loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra. Although symptomatic treatment by the dopamine precursor levodopa and dopamine agonists can improve motor symptoms, no disease-modifying therapy exists yet. Here, we show that Emapunil (AC-5216, XBD-173), a synthetic ligand of the translocator protein 18, ameliorates degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, preserves striatal dopamine metabolism, and prevents motor dysfunction in female mice treated with the MPTP, as a model of parkinsonism. We found that Emapunil modulates the inositol requiring kinase 1α (IRE α)/X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) unfolded protein response pathway and induces a shift from pro-inflammatory toward anti-inflammatory microglia activation. Previously, Emapunil was shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and to be safe and well tolerated in a Phase II clinical trial. Therefore, our data suggest that Emapunil may be a promising approach in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our study reveals a beneficial effect of Emapunil on dopaminergic neuron survival, dopamine metabolism, and motor phenotype in the MPTP mouse model of parkinsonism. In addition, our work uncovers molecular networks which mediate neuroprotective effects of Emapunil, including microglial activation state and unfolded protein response pathways. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of biological mechanisms of translocator protein 18 (TSPO) function but also indicate that translocator protein 18 may be a promising therapeutic target. We thus propose to further validate Emapunil in other Parkinson's disease mouse models and subsequently in clinical trials to treat Parkinson's disease.

Linking unfolded protein response to inflammation and depression: potential pathologic and therapeutic implications

Depression is a devastating mental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Inflammation has been shown to be a key factor involved in the underlying pathophysiology of depression and has been shown in a substantial proportion of cases of depression. Changes attributed with morphological deformities and immunomodulation in susceptible regions of the depressed brain raised the possibility of altered cellular homeostasis transduced by the intracellular stress response. How emotional stressors can lead to an inflamed brain that directly affects physiology and activity is yet to be fully understood. The unfolded protein response (UPR) has been shown to be active in both models of depression as well as in postmortem brain of depressed individuals. The UPR is the cellular response to stress which results in misfolded proteins. Interestingly, UPR activation is directly linked to both inflammatory cytokine production and Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression. The TLRs are part of the innate immune response which typically reacts to "classic invasions" such as bacteria or viruses as well as trauma. TLRs have also been shown to be upregulated in depression, thus solidifying the connection between inflammation and depression. In this review, we aim to tie the UPR-TLR response and depression, and describe the implications of such an association. We also propose future directions for their role in treatment for depression.

Glucocorticoid-activated IRE1α/XBP-1s signaling: an autophagy-associated protective pathway against endotheliocyte damage

Glucocorticoid-induced endothelial injury has been reported in several diseases. Although there are several theories, the exact mechanism underlying the role of glucocorticoids in this process remains unclear. Autophagy has been reported to occur as a response to different stimuli and can affect cell survival and function. In this study, we found that glucocorticoids induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in endotheliocytes. Furthermore, we discovered that glucocorticoids induced autophagy in these cells and the inositol requiring protein 1 (IRE1α)/X-box binding protein 1s (XBP-1s) axis, one of the downstream signaling pathways of ER stress, was associated with the glucocorticoid-induced autophagy. The autophagy partly protected endotheliocytes from glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation. In conclusion, glucocorticoid-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress activated the IRE1α/XBP-1s signaling and induced autophagy, which, in turn, played a protective role in endotheliocyte survival and proliferation, avoiding further cellular damage caused by glucocorticoids.

Pharmacology and toxicology of α- and β-Asarone: A review of preclinical evidence

BACKGROUND

Asarone is one of the most researched phytochemicals and is mainly present in the Acorus species and Guatteria gaumeri Greenman. In preclinical studies, both α- and β-asarone have been reported to have numerous pharmacological activities and at the same time, many studies have also revealed the toxicity of α- and β-asarone.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this comprehensive review is to compile and analyze the information related to the pharmacokinetic, pharmacological, and toxicological studies reported on α- and β-asarone using preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. Besides, the molecular targets and mechanism(s) involved in the biological activities of α- and β-asarone were discussed.

METHODS

Databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google scholar were searched and the literature from the year 1960 to January 2017 was retrieved using keywords such as α-asarone, β-asarone, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, pharmacological activities (e.g. depression, anxiety).

RESULTS

Based on the data obtained from the literature search, the pharmacokinetic studies of α- and β-asarone revealed that their oral bioavailability in rodents is poor with a short plasma half-life. Moreover, the metabolism of α- and β-asarone occurs mainly through cytochrome-P450 pathways. Besides, both α- and/or β-asarone possess a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antidepressant, antianxiety, anti-Alzheimer's, anti-Parkinson's, antiepileptic, anticancer, antihyperlipidemic, antithrombotic, anticholestatic and radioprotective activities through its interaction with multiple molecular targets. Importantly, the toxicological studies revealed that both α- and β-asarone can cause hepatomas and might possess mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and teratogenicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, further preclinical studies are required to confirm the pharmacological properties of α-asarone against depression, anxiety, Parkinson's disease, psychosis, drug dependence, pain, inflammation, cholestasis and thrombosis. Besides, the anticancer effect of β-asarone should be further studied in different types of cancers using in vivo models. Moreover, further dose-dependent in vivo studies are required to confirm the toxicity of α- and β-asarone. Overall, this extensive review provides a detailed information on the preclinical pharmacological and toxicological activities of α-and β-asarone and this could be very useful for researchers who wish to conduct further preclinical studies using α- and β-asarone.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum Unfolded Protein Response in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Its Potential Therapeutic Significance

In eukaryotic cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cell compartment involved in secretory protein translocation and quality control of secretory protein folding. Different conditions can alter ER function, resulting in the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins within the ER lumen. Such a condition, known as ER stress, elicits an integrated adaptive response known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) that aims to restore proteostasis within the secretory pathway. Conversely, in prolonged cell stress or insufficient adaptive response, UPR signaling causes cell death. ER dysfunctions are involved and contribute to neuronal degeneration in several human diseases, including Alzheimer, Parkinson and Huntington disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The correlations between ER stress and its signal transduction pathway known as the UPR with neuropathological changes are well established. In addition, much evidence suggests that genetic or pharmacological modulation of UPR could represent an effective strategy for minimizing the progressive neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review recent results describing the main cellular mechanisms linking ER stress and UPR to neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we provide an up-to-date panoramic view of the currently pursued strategies for ameliorating the toxic effects of protein unfolding in disease by targeting the ER UPR pathway.