β-asarone improves cognitive impairment and alleviates autophagy in mice with vascular dementia via the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway

The multiple roles of viral 3Dpol protein in picornavirus infections

The Picornaviridae are a large group of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses, and most research has focused on the Enterovirus genus, given they present a severe health risk to humans. Other picornaviruses, such as foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and senecavirus A (SVA), affect agricultural production with high animal mortality to cause huge economic losses. The 3Dpol protein of picornaviruses is widely known to be used for genome replication; however, a growing number of studies have demonstrated its non-polymerase roles, including modulation of host cell biological processes, viral replication complex assembly and localization, autophagy, and innate immune responses. Currently, there is no effective vaccine to control picornavirus diseases widely, and clinical therapeutic strategies have limited efficiency in combating infections. Many efforts have been made to develop different types of drugs to prohibit virus survival; the most important target for drug development is the virus polymerase, a necessary element for virus replication. For picornaviruses, there are also active efforts in targeted 3Dpol drug development. This paper reviews the interaction of 3Dpol proteins with the host and the progress of drug development targeting 3Dpol.

Taohong Siwu decoction alleviates cognitive impairment by suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis signaling pathway in vascular dementia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used for the treatment of vascular diseases, including vascular dementia (VD). However, the mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to investigate whether TSD has a positive effect on cognitive impairment in VD rats and to confirm that the mechanism of action is related to the Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ERs) and cell apoptosis signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham-operated group (Sham), the two-vessel occlusion group (2VO), the 2VO treated with 4.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-L), the 2VO treated with 13.5 g/kg/d TSD group (2VO + TSD-H). The rats underwent either 2VO surgery or sham surgery. Postoperative TSD treatment was given for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral tests were initiated at the end of gastrulation. Open-field test (OFT) was used to detect the activity level. The New Object Recognition test (NOR) was used to test long-term memory. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to examine the foundation of spatial learning and memory. As a final step, the hippocampus was taken for molecular testing. The protein levels of GRP78 (Bip), p-PERK, PERK, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, ATF6, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, ATF4, XBP1, Bcl-2 and Bax were determined by Western blot. Immunofluorescence visualizes molecular expression.

RESULTS

In the OFT, residence time in the central area was significantly longer in both TSD treatment groups compared to the 2VO group. In the NOR, the recognition index was obviously elevated in both TSD treatment groups. The 2VO group had a significantly longer escape latency and fewer times in crossing the location of the platform compared with the Sham group in MWM. TSD treatment reversed this notion. Pathologically, staining observations confirmed that TSD inhibited hippocampal neuronal loss and alleviated the abnormal reduction of the Nissl body. In parallel, TUNEL staining illustrated that TSD decelerated neuronal apoptosis. Western Blot demonstrated that TSD reduces the expression of ERs and apoptotic proteins.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the significant ameliorative effect on cognitive impairment of TSD has been determined by comparing the behavioral data of the 4 groups of rats. Furthermore, it was confirmed that this effect of TSD was achieved by suppressing the ERs-mediated apoptosis signaling pathway.

Management of the Brain: Essential Oils as Promising Neuroinflammation Modulator in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neuroinflammation, a pivotal factor in the pathogenesis of various brain disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, has become a focal point for therapeutic exploration. This review highlights neuroinflammatory mechanisms that hallmark neurodegenerative diseases and the potential benefits of essential oils in counteracting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, thereby offering a novel strategy for managing and mitigating the impact of various brain disorders. Essential oils, derived from aromatic plants, have emerged as versatile compounds with a myriad of health benefits. Essential oils exhibit robust antioxidant activity, serving as scavengers of free radicals and contributing to cellular defense against oxidative stress. Furthermore, essential oils showcase anti-inflammatory properties, modulating immune responses and mitigating inflammatory processes implicated in various chronic diseases. The intricate mechanisms by which essential oils and phytomolecules exert their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were explored, shedding light on their multifaceted properties. Notably, we discussed their ability to modulate diverse pathways crucial in maintaining oxidative homeostasis and suppressing inflammatory responses, and their capacity to rescue cognitive deficits observed in preclinical models of neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases.