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Lin LT, Zhang ST, Shang BL, Dai YQ, Cheng XQ, Wu QG, Zhan RT, Liu SJ. The effect and mechanism of patchouli alcohol on cognitive dysfunction in AD mice induced by Aβ 1-42 oligomers through AMPK/mTOR pathway. Brain Res Bull 2024; 215:111030. [PMID: 38996935 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progressively impairs long-term and working memory. The function and mechanism of PA(Patchouli alcohol) in improving AD in the external treatment of encephalopathy remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PA on AD using an Aβ1-42 induced AD mouse model with LPS(Lipopolysaccharide) stimulation of BV2 microglial cells. Additionally, we aimed to explore the potential mechanism of PA in enhancing autophagy and reducing neuroinflammation through the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)/mTOR (Mammaliam target of rapamycin) signaling pathway. The Morris water maze was used to assess cognitive function, and cortical and hippocampal tissues were collected for further analysis of the corresponding signaling pathways and inflammatory changes through biological experiments. Our research findings demonstrate that PA has a significant positive impact on cognitive and memory impairments in mice that have been induced with Aβ1-42-induced AD. Additionally, PA was also found to revert the activation of microglia induced by LPS. These effects may be attributed to the reduction of neuroinflammation and enhancement of the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway. Therefore, PA may serve as an effective therapeutic option to prevent or delay the progression of AD-associated memory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ting Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Shu-Ting Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Bao-Ling Shang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China; The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Yu-Qiong Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qing Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Qing-Guang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ruo-Ting Zhan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China; Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Resource from Lingnan, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Si-Jun Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, PR China.
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2
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Shen Y, Liu F, Zhang M. Therapeutic potential of plant-derived natural compounds in Alzheimer's disease: Targeting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117235. [PMID: 39094545 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia are resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) with roles in sensing, housekeeping, and defense. Exploring the role of microglia in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the possible therapeutic mechanism of plant-derived natural compounds (PDNCs) that regulate microglia-associated neuroinflammation may potentially help in elucidating the pathogenesis of AD and provide novel insights for its treatment. This review explores the role of abnormal microglial activation and its dominant neuroinflammatory response, as well as the activation of their target receptors and signaling pathways in AD pathogenesis. Additionally, we report an update on the potential pharmacological mechanisms of multiple PDNCs in modulating microglia-associated neuroinflammation in AD treatment. Dysregulated activation of microglial receptors and their downstream pathways impaired immune homeostasis in animal models of AD. Multiple signaling pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and Toll-like receptors, play important roles in microglial activation and can exacerbate microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. PDNCs, such as magnolol, stigmasterol, matrine, naringenin, naringin, and resveratrol, can delay the progression of AD by inhibiting the proinflammatory receptors of microglia, activating its anti-inflammatory receptors, regulating the receptors related to β-amyloid (Aβ) clearance, reversing immune dysregulation, and maintaining the immune homeostasis of microglial downstream pathways. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which microglia cause chronic inflammation in AD and evaluates the beneficial effects of PDNCs on immune regulation in AD by regulating microglial receptors and their downstream pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China.
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Mingjie Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China.
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Demetriou A, Lindqvist B, Ali HG, Shamekh MM, Maioli S, Inzunza J, Varshney M, Nilsson P, Nalvarte I. ERβ mediates sex-specific protection in the App-NL-G-F mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.22.604543. [PMID: 39091856 PMCID: PMC11291054 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.22.604543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Menopausal loss of neuroprotective estrogen is thought to contribute to the sex differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Activation of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) can be clinically relevant since it avoids the negative systemic effects of ERα activation. However, very few studies have explored ERβ-mediated neuroprotection in AD, and no information on its contribution to the sex differences in AD exists. In the present study we specifically explored the role of ERβ in mediating sex-specific protection against AD pathology in the clinically relevant App NL-G-F knock-in mouse model of amyloidosis, and if surgical menopause (ovariectomy) modulates pathology in this model. We treated male and female App NL-G-F mice with the selective ERβ agonist LY500307 and subset of the females was ovariectomized prior to treatment. Memory performance was assessed and a battery of biochemical assays were used to evaluate amyloid pathology and neuroinflammation. Primary microglial cultures from male and female wild-type and ERβ-knockout mice were used to assess ERβ's effect on microglial activation and phagocytosis. We find that ERβ activation protects against amyloid pathology and cognitive decline in male and female App NL-G-F mice. Ovariectomy increased soluble amyloid beta (Aβ) in cortex and insoluble Aβ in hippocampus, but had otherwise limited effects on pathology. We further identify that ERβ does not alter APP processing, but rather exerts its protection through amyloid scavenging that at least in part is mediated via microglia in a sex-specific manner. Combined, we provide new understanding to the sex differences in AD by demonstrating that ERβ protects against AD pathology differently in males and females, warranting reassessment of ERβ in combating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aphrodite Demetriou
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Lindqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Heba G. Ali
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M. Shamekh
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jose Inzunza
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Mukesh Varshney
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden
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Ruan S, Li J, Ruan H, Xia Q, Hou X, Wang Z, Guo T, Zhu C, Feng N, Zhang Y. Microneedle-mediated nose-to-brain drug delivery for improved Alzheimer's disease treatment. J Control Release 2024; 366:712-731. [PMID: 38219911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Conventional transnasal brain-targeted drug delivery strategies are limited by nasal cilia clearance and the nasal mucosal barrier. To address this challenge, we designed dissolving microneedles combined with nanocarriers for enhanced nose-to-brain drug delivery. To facilitate transnasal administration, a toothbrush-like microneedle patch was fabricated with hyaluronic acid-formed microneedles and tannic acid-crosslinked gelatin as the base, which completely dissolved in the nasal mucosa within seconds leaving only the base, thereby releasing the loaded cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) without affecting the nasal cilia and nasal microbial communities. As nanocarriers for high loading of huperzine A, these potassium-structured CD-MOFs, reinforced with stigmasterol and functionalized with lactoferrin, possessed improved physical stability and excellent biocompatibility, enabling efficient brain-targeted drug delivery. This delivery system substantially attenuated H2O2- and scopolamine-induced neurocyte damage. The efficacy of huperzine A on scopolamine- and D-galactose & AlCl3-induced memory deficits in rats was significantly improved, as evidenced by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity, alleviating oxidative stress damage in the brain, and improving learning function, meanwhile activating extracellular regulated protein kinases-cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein-brain derived neurotrophic factor pathway. Moreover, postsynaptic density protein PSD-95, which interacts with two important therapeutic targets Tau and β-amyloid in Alzheimer's disease, was upregulated. This fruitful treatment was further shown to significantly ameliorate Tau hyperphosphorylation and decrease β-amyloid by ways including modulating beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10. Collectively, such a newly developed strategy breaks the impasse for efficient drug delivery to the brain, and the potential therapeutic role of huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease is further illustrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyao Ruan
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hang Ruan
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qing Xia
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Teng Guo
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunyun Zhu
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Nianping Feng
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yongtai Zhang
- School of pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.1200 Cailun Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Chu J, Zhang W, Liu Y, Gong B, Ji W, Yin T, Gao C, Liangwen D, Hao M, Chen C, Zhuang J, Gao J, Yin Y. Biomaterials-based anti-inflammatory treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:100-115. [PMID: 37488851 PMCID: PMC10479833 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.374137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic drugs for Alzheimer's disease only improve symptoms, they do not delay disease progression. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new effective drugs. The underlying pathogenic factors of Alzheimer's disease are not clear, but neuroinflammation can link various hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease; hence, targeting neuroinflammation may be a new hope for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Inhibiting inflammation can restore neuronal function, promote neuroregeneration, reduce the pathological burden of Alzheimer's disease, and improve or even reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This review focuses on the relationship between inflammation and various pathological hypotheses of Alzheimer's disease; reports the mechanisms and characteristics of small-molecule drugs (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, neurosteroids, and plant extracts); macromolecule drugs (e.g., peptides, proteins, and gene therapeutics); and nanocarriers (e.g., lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and inorganic nanoparticles) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The review also makes recommendations for the prospective development of anti-inflammatory strategies based on nanocarriers for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjian Chu
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weicong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Clinical Pharmacy Innovation Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Baofeng Gong
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbo Ji
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Yin
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Danqi Liangwen
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengqi Hao
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuimin Chen
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianhua Zhuang
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Yin
- Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Chen L, Qin Q, Huang P, Cao F, Yin M, Xie Y, Wang W. Chronic pain accelerates cognitive impairment by reducing hippocampal neurogenesis may via CCL2/CCR2 signaling in APP/PS1 mice. Brain Res Bull 2023; 205:110801. [PMID: 37931808 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Patients with chronic pain often have cognitive impairment; this is especially true in elderly patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the mechanism underlying this association remains unclear. This was addressed in the present study by investigating the effect of chronic neuropathic pain on hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive impairment using amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice subjected to spared-nerve injury (SNI). The Von Frey test was performed to determine the mechanical threshold of mouse hind limbs after SNI. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate spatial learning and memory. Doublecortin-positive (DCX+), 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)+, BrdU+/neuronal nuclei (NeuN)+, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)+ neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis. CCL2 and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) protein levels in the mouse hippocampus were analyzed by western blotting. The results showed that APP/PS1 mice with chronic neuropathic pain induced by SNI had significant learning and memory impairment. This was accompanied by increased CCL2 and CCR2 expression and decreases in the number of DCX+, BrdU+, and BrdU+/NeuN+ neurons. These results suggest that chronic neuropathic pain is associated with cognitive impairment, which may be caused by CCL2/CCR2 signaling-mediated inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis. Thus, therapeutic strategies that alleviate neuropathic pain can potentially slow cognitive decline in patients with AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Chen
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Qin Qin
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Panchuan Huang
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Fangli Cao
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Maojia Yin
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Yachen Xie
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Wuchao Wang
- Department of Pain, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China.
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Therapeutic potential of natural molecules against Alzheimer's disease via SIRT1 modulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114474. [PMID: 36878051 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease mainly characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory impairment. Recent studies have shown that regulating silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression has a significant neuroprotective effect, and SIRT1 may become a new therapeutic target for AD. Natural molecules are an important source of drug development for use in AD therapy and may regulate a wide range of biological events by regulating SIRT1 as well as other SIRT1-mediated signaling pathways. This review aims to summarize the correlation between SIRT1 and AD and to identify in vivo and in vitro studies investigating the anti-AD properties of natural molecules as modulators of SIRT1 and SIRT1-mediated signaling pathways. A literature search was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and October 2022 using various literature databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and EMBASE. Natural molecules, such as resveratrol, quercetin, icariin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, dihydromyricetin, salidroside, patchouli, sesamin, rhein, ligustilide, tetramethoxyflavanone, 1-theanine, schisandrin, curcumin, betaine, pterostilbene, ampelopsin, schisanhenol, and eriodictyol, have the potential to modulate SIRT1 and SIRT1 signaling pathways, thereby combating AD. The natural molecules modulating SIRT1 discussed in this review provide a potentially novel multi-mechanistic therapeutic strategy for AD. However, future clinical trials need to be conducted to further investigate their beneficial properties and to determine the safety and efficacy of SIRT1 natural activators against AD.
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Xu QQ, Su ZR, Yang W, Zhong M, Xian YF, Lin ZX. Patchouli alcohol attenuates the cognitive deficits in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via modulating neuropathology and gut microbiota through suppressing C/EBPβ/AEP pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:19. [PMID: 36717922 PMCID: PMC9887791 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunctions and behavioral impairments. Patchouli alcohol (PA), isolated from Pogostemonis Herba, exhibits multiple pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of PA against AD using the TgCRND8 transgenic AD mouse model, and to explore the underlying mechanisms targeting CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β/asparagine endopeptidase (C/EBPβ/AEP) signaling pathway. METHODS After genotyping to confirm the transgenicity, drug treatments were administered intragastrically once daily to 3-month-old TgCRND8 mice for 4 consecutive months. Several behavioral tests were applied to assess different aspects of neurological functions. Then the brain and colon tissues were harvested for in-depth mechanistic studies. To further verify whether PA exerts anti-AD effects via modulating C/EBPβ/AEP signaling pathway in TgCRND8 mice, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors encoding CEBP/β were bilaterally injected into the hippocampal CA1 region in TgCRND8 mice to overexpress C/EBPβ. Additionally, the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment was performed to verify the potential role of gut microbiota on the anti-AD effects of PA. RESULTS Our results showed that PA treatment significantly improved activities of daily living (ADL), ameliorated the anxiety-related behavioral deficits and cognitive impairments in TgCRND8 mice. PA modulated the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. PA also markedly reduced the levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ) 40 and Aβ42, suppressed Aβ plaque burdens, inhibited tau protein hyperphosphorylation at several sites and relieved neuroinflammation in the brains of TgCRND8 mice. Moreover, PA restored gut dysbiosis and inhibited the activation of the C/EBPβ/AEP signaling pathway in the brain and colon tissues of TgCRND8 mice. Interestingly, PA strikingly alleviated the AD-like pathologies induced by the overexpression of C/EBPβ in TgCRND8 mice. Additionally, the FMT of fecal microbiota from the PA-treated TgCRND8 mice significantly alleviated the cognitive impairments and AD-like pathologies in the germ-free TgCRND8 mice. CONCLUSION All these findings amply demonstrated that PA could ameliorate the cognitive deficits in TgCRND8 mice via suppressing Aβ plaques deposition, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis through inhibiting the activation of C/EBPβ/AEP pathway, suggesting that PA is a promising naturally occurring chemical worthy of further development into the pharmaceutical treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Xu
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Ren Su
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Wen Yang
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei Zhong
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Fang Xian
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Lin
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R&D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
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Deng C, Chen H, Meng Z, Meng S. Roles of traditional chinese medicine regulating neuroendocrinology on AD treatment. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:955618. [PMID: 36213283 PMCID: PMC9533021 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.955618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasing in recent years. Studies have shown that in addition to some genetic abnormalities, the majority of AD patients has a history of long-term exposure to risk factors. Neuroendocrine related risk factors have been proved to be strongly associated with AD. Long-term hormone disorder can have a direct detrimental effect on the brain by producing an AD-like pathology and result in cognitive decline by impairing neuronal metabolism, plasticity and survival. Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) may regulate the complex process of endocrine disorders, and improve metabolic abnormalities, as well as the resulting neuroinflammation and oxidative damage through a variety of pathways. TCM has unique therapeutic advantages in treating early intervention of AD-related neuroendocrine disorders and preventing cognitive decline. This paper reviewed the relationship between neuroendocrine and AD as well as the related TCM treatment and its mechanism. The advantages of TCM intervention on endocrine disorders and some pending problems was also discussed, and new insights for TCM treatment of dementia in the future was provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujun Deng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Huize Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeyu Meng
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Shengxi Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Shengxi Meng,
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