The protective effect of hydroxylated fullerene pretreatment on pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Fullerenols Ameliorate Social Deficiency and Rescue Cognitive Dysfunction of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J Autistic-Like Mice

Background

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction and communication and can cause stereotypic behavior. Fullerenols, a type of carbon nanomaterial known for its neuroprotective properties, have not yet been studied for their potential in treating ASD. We aimed to investigate its role in improving autistic behaviors in BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice and its underlying mechanism, which could provide reliable clues for future ASD treatments.

Methods

Our research involved treating C57BL/6J (C57) and BTBR mice with either 0.9% NaCl or fullerenols (10 mg/kg) daily for one week at seven weeks of age. We then conducted ASD-related behavioral tests in the eighth week and used RNA-seq to screen for vital pathways in the mouse hippocampus. Additionally, we used real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to verify related pathway genes and evaluated the number of stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) by Immunofluorescence staining.

Results

Our findings revealed that fullerenols treatment significantly improved the related ASD-like behaviors of BTBR mice, manifested by enhanced social ability and improved cognitive deficits. Immunofluorescence results showed that fullerenols treatment increased the number of DCX+ and SOX2+/GFAP+ cells in the DG region of BTBR mice, indicating an expanded neural progenitor cell (NPC) pool of BTBR mice. RNA-seq analysis of the mouse hippocampus showed that VEGFA was involved in the rescued hippocampal neurogenesis by fullerenols treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings suggest that fullerenols treatment improves ASD-like behavior in BTBR mice by upregulating VEGFA, making nanoparticle- fullerenols a promising drug for ASD treatment.

CoQ10 targeted hippocampal ferroptosis in a status epilepticus rat model

Status epilepticus (SE), the most severe form of epilepsy, leads to brain damage. Uncertainty persists about the mechanisms that lead to the pathophysiology of epilepsy and the death of neurons. Overloading of intracellular iron ions has recently been identified as the cause of a newly recognized form of controlled cell death called ferroptosis. Inhibiting ferroptosis has shown promise as a treatment for epilepsy, according to recent studies. So, the current study aimed to assess the possible antiepileptic impact of CoQ10 either alone or with the standard antiepileptic drug sodium valproate (SVP) and to evaluate the targeted effect of COQ10 on hippocampal oxidative stress and ferroptosis in a SE rat model. Using a lithium-pilocarpine rat model of epilepsy, we evaluated the effect of SVP, CoQ10, or both on seizure severity, histological, and immunohistochemical of the hippocampus. Furthermore, due to the essential role of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in inducing ferroptosis, we evaluated malonaldehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin in tissue homogenate. Our work illustrated that ferroptosis occurs in murine models of lithium-pilocarpine-induced seizures (epileptic group). Nissl staining revealed significant neurodegeneration. A significant increase in the number of astrocytes stained with an astrocyte-specific marker was observed in the hippocampus. Effective seizure relief can be achieved in the seizure model by administering CoQ10 alone compared to SVP. This was accomplished by lowering ferritin levels and increasing GPX4, reducing MDA, and increasing GSH in the hippocampus tissue homogenate. In addition, the benefits of SVP therapy for regulating iron stores, GPX4, and oxidative stress markers were amplified by incorporating CoQ10 as compared to SVP alone. It was concluded that CoQ10 alone has a more beneficial effect than SVP alone in restoring histological structures and has a targeted effect on hippocampal oxidative stress and ferroptosis. In addition, COQ10 could be useful as an adjuvant to SVP in protecting against oxidative damage and ferroptosis-related damage that result from epileptic seizures.

Neuroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid against oxidative stress in rats subjected to lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Epilepsy is a condition marked by sudden, self-sustained, and recurring brain events, showcasing unique electro-clinical and neuropathological phenomena that can alter the structure and functioning of the brain, resulting in diverse manifestations. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can be very effective in 30% of patients in controlling seizures. Several factors contribute to this: drug resistance, individual variability, side effects, complexity of epilepsy, incomplete understanding, comorbidities, drug interactions, and no adherence to treatment. Therefore, research into new AEDs is important for several reasons such as improved efficacy, reduced side effects, expanded treatment options, treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy, improved safety profiles, targeted therapies, and innovation and progress. Animal models serve as crucial biological tools for comprehending neuronal damage and aiding in the discovery of more effective new AEDs. The utilization of antioxidant agents that act on the central nervous system may serve as a supplementary approach in the secondary prevention of epilepsy, both in laboratory animals and potentially in humans. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a significant compound, widely prevalent in numerous medicinal and food plants, exhibiting an extensive spectrum of biological activities such as neuroprotection, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects, among others. In this research, we assessed the neuroprotective effects of commercially available CGA in Wistar rats submitted to lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) model. After 72-h induction of SE, rats received thiopental and were treated for three consecutive days (1st, 2nd, and 3rd doses). Next, brains were collected and studied histologically for viable cells in the hippocampus with staining for cresyl-violet (Nissl staining) and for degenerating cells with Fluoro-Jade C (FJC) staining. Moreover, to evaluate oxidative stress, the presence of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was quantified. Rats administered with CGA (30 mg/kg) demonstrated a significant decrease of 59% in the number of hippocampal cell loss in the CA3, and of 48% in the hilus layers after SE. A significant reduction of 75% in the cell loss in the CA3, shown by FJC+ staining, was also observed with the administration of CGA (30 mg/kg). Furthermore, significant decreases of 49% in MDA production and 72% in the activity of SOD were seen, when compared to animals subjected to SE that received vehicle. This study introduces a novel finding: the administration of CGA at a dosage of 30 mg/kg effectively reduced oxidative stress induced by lithium-pilocarpine, with its effects lasting until the peak of neural damage 72 h following the onset of SE. Overall, the research and development of new AEDs are essential for advancing epilepsy treatment, improving patient outcomes, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy.

Impact of NQO1 dysregulation in CNS disorders

NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of neuronal function and synaptic plasticity, cellular adaptation to oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory and degenerative processes, and tumorigenesis in the central nervous system (CNS). Impairment of the NQO1 activity in the CNS can result in abnormal neurotransmitter release and clearance, increased oxidative stress, and aggravated cellular injury/death. Furthermore, it can cause disturbances in neural circuit function and synaptic neurotransmission. The abnormalities of NQO1 enzyme activity have been linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms of multiple neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, and brain malignancy. NQO1 contributes to various dimensions of tumorigenesis and treatment response in various brain tumors. The precise mechanisms through which abnormalities in NQO1 function contribute to these neurological disorders continue to be a subject of ongoing research. Building upon the existing knowledge, the present study reviews current investigations describing the role of NQO1 dysregulations in various neurological disorders. This study emphasizes the potential of NQO1 as a biomarker in diagnostic and prognostic approaches, as well as its suitability as a target for drug development strategies in neurological disorders.

Eugenol alleviates neuronal damage via inhibiting inflammatory process against pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Neuroinflammation is one of the most common pathological outcomes in various neurological diseases. A growing body of evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of epileptic seizures. Eugenol is the major phytoconstituent of essential oils extracted from several plants and possesses protective and anticonvulsant properties. However, it remains unclear whether eugenol exerts an anti-inflammatory effect to protect against severe neuronal damage induced by epileptic seizures. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory action of eugenol in an experimental epilepsy model of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). To examine the protective effect of eugenol via anti-inflammatory mechanisms, eugenol (200 mg/kg) was administrated daily for three days after pilocarpine-induced SE onset. The anti-inflammatory action of eugenol was evaluated by examining the expression of reactive gliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat with a pyrin-domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Our results showed that eugenol reduced SE-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death, mitigated the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and attenuated the expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α in the hippocampus after SE onset. Furthermore, eugenol inhibited NF-κB activation and the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the hippocampus after SE. These results suggest that eugenol is a potential phytoconstituent that suppresses the neuroinflammatory processes induced by epileptic seizures. Therefore, these findings provide evidence that eugenol has therapeutic potential for epileptic seizures.

Fullerenols Prevent Neuron Death and Reduce Oxidative Stress in Drosophila Huntington's Disease Model

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the human neurodegenerative diseases for which there is no effective treatment. Therefore, there is a strong demand for a novel neuroprotective agent that can alleviate its course. Fullerene derivatives are considered to be such agents; however, they need to be comprehensively investigated in model organisms. In this work, neuroprotective activity of C₆₀(OH)₃₀ and C₁₂₀O(OH)₄₄ fullerenols was analyzed for the first time in a Drosophila transgenic model of HD. Lifespan, behavior, oxidative stress level and age-related neurodegeneration were assessed in flies with the pathogenic Huntingtin protein expression in nerve cells. Feed supplementation with hydroxylated C₆₀ fullerene and C₁₂₀O dimer oxide molecules was shown to diminish the oxidative stress level and neurodegenerative processes in the flies' brains. Thus, fullerenes displayed neuroprotective activity in this model.

Crosstalk between neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in epilepsy

The roles of both neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of epilepsy have begun to receive considerable attention in recent years. However, these concepts are predominantly studied as separate entities despite the evidence that neuroinflammatory and redox-based signaling cascades have significant crosstalk. Oxidative post-translational modifications have been demonstrated to directly influence the function of key neuroinflammatory mediators. Neuroinflammation can further be controlled on the transcriptional level as the transcriptional regulators NF-KB and nrf2 are activated by reactive oxygen species. Further, neuroinflammation can induce the increased expression and activity of NADPH oxidase, leading to a highly oxidative environment. These factors additionally influence mitochondria function and the metabolic status of neurons and glia, which are already metabolically stressed in epilepsy. Given the implication of this relationship to disease pathology, this review explores the numerous mechanisms by which neuroinflammation and oxidative stress influence one another in the context of epilepsy. We further examine the efficacy of treatments targeting oxidative stress and redox regulation in animal and human epilepsies in the literature that warrant further investigation. Treatment approaches aimed at rectifying oxidative stress and aberrant redox signaling may enable control of neuroinflammation and improve patient outcomes.

Long-term maintenance of synaptic plasticity by Fullerenol Ameliorates lead-induced-impaired learning and memory in vivo

Fullerenol, a functional and water-soluble fullerene derivative, plays an important role in antioxidant, antitumor and antivirus, implying its enormous potential in biomedical applications. However, the in vivo performance of fullerenol remains largely unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of fullerenol (i.p., 5 mg/kg) on the impaired hippocampus in a rat model of lead exposure. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is a kind of newly developed soft-ionization mass spectrometry technology. In the present study, an innovative strategy for biological distribution analysis using MALDI-TOF-MS confirmed that fullerenol could across the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain. Results from behavioral tests showed that a low dose of fullerenol could improve the impaired learning and memory induced by lead. Furthermore, electrophysiology examinations indicated that this potential repair effect of fullerenol was mainly due to the long-term changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, with enhancement lasting for more than 2-3 h. In addition, morphological observations and biochemistry analyses manifested that the long-term change in synaptic efficacy was accompanied by some structural alteration in synaptic connection. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic feature of fullerenol will be beneficial to the discovery and development as a new drug and lays a solid foundation for further biomedical applications of nanomedicines.

Evaluation of Resveratrol and Piceatannol Anticonvulsant Potential in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which affects 50 million people worldwide. Patients with epilepsy may present cognitive deficits and psychological impairment. Currently, 30% of patients fail to respond to any available antiseizure drug, and a significant number of patients do not well tolerate the offered treatments. Then, it is necessary to find out alternatives for controlling epileptic seizures. Studies have shown that despite its neuroprotective effects, resveratrol shows poor anticonvulsant properties. Resveratrol analog, piceatannol, possesses higher biological activity than resveratrol and could be an alternative to control seizure. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of resveratrol and piceatannol in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Only the experimental positive control (diazepam) showed anticonvulsant effect in this study. In addition, no behavioral changes were observed 24 h after seizure occurrence. Finally, the expression of genes related to neuronal activity (c-fos), neurogenesis (p70S6Ka and p70S6Kb), inflammatory response (interleukin 1β), and cell apoptosis (caspase-3) did not change by pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. Therefore, we failed to observe any anticonvulsant and neuroprotective potential of resveratrol and piceatannol in adult zebrafish. However, resveratrol and piceatannol benefits in epilepsy are not discharged, and more studies are necessary.

Baicalin Rescues Cognitive Dysfunction, Mitigates Neurodegeneration, and Exerts Anti-Epileptic Effects Through Activating TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 Pathway in Rats

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of anti-epileptic mechanisms of baicalin (BA) on cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epileptic rats.

Methods

First, PTZ-induced epileptic rats were administered intraperitoneally a sub-convulsive dose of PTZ (40 mg/kg) daily, and the seizure susceptibility (the degree of seizures and latency) was evaluated using Racine’s criterion. Then, classical behavioral experiments were performed to test whether BA ameliorated cognitive dysfunction. Neurodegeneration was assessed using Fluoro Jade-B (FJB), and NeuN staining was used to determine whether BA offered a neuroprotective role. After BA had been proven to possess anti-epileptic effects, its possible mechanisms were analyzed through network pharmacology. Finally, the key targets for predictive mechanisms were experimentally verified.

Results

The epileptic model was successfully established, and BA had anti-epileptic effects. Epileptic rats displayed significant cognitive dysfunction, and BA markedly ameliorated cognitive dysfunction. Further, we also discovered that BA treatment mitigated neurodegeneration of the hippocampus CA3 regions, thereby ameliorated cognitive dysfunction of epileptic rats. Subsequent network pharmacology analysis was implemented to reveal a possible mechanism of BA in the anti-epileptic process and the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway was predicted. Finally, experimental studies showed that BA exerted an anti-epileptic effect by activating the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway in PTZ-induced epileptic rats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BA had a protective effect against PTZ-induced seizures. BA improved cognitive dysfunction and exerted a neuroprotective action. The anti-epileptic effects of BA may be potentially through activation of the TLR4/MYD88/Caspase-3 pathway.