Neuromodulatory potential of Asparagus racemosus and its bioactive molecule Shatavarin IV by enhancing synaptic acetylcholine level and nAChR activity

Cholinergic dysfunction has been commonly known to be associated with plethora of neurodegenerative disorders and also serves as a biomarker. Recently, cholinergic system demonstrated that acetylcholine has major role in regulation of its function therefore the main therapeutic regimens towards disease management have been focused on increasing acetylcholine levels. The current study explores the potential of Asparagus racemosus extract (ARE) and its bioactive molecule Shatavarin IV (SIV) in improving cholinergic transmission via utilizing Caenorhabditis elegans considering as a model system. Observations and results obtained through this study have clearly showed significant modulation in cholinergic function by increasing acetylcholine (ACh) levels and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) activity. Further exploration on mechanistic facet pointed towards ARE and SIV modulatory potential through increased synaptic ACh level by blocking acetyl cholinesterase at enzyme level and by regulating increment in transcript level of cha-1, and cho-1 that are directly responsible for the synthesis of ACh. Further, the up-regulation of unc-38 and unc-50 transcripts could be the reason for enhanced nAChR activity and investigation on stress modulator activity showed excellent efficiency of ARE and SIV in diminishing ROS thereby lowering the oxidative damage.

ALA-mediated biphasic downregulation of α-7nAchR/HIF-1α along with mitochondrial stress modulation strategy in mammary gland chemoprevention

The study elucidates the effect of ɑ-linolenic acid (ALA) on mitochondrial stress, hypoxic cancer microenvironment, and intervention of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway using N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induced estrogen receptor (ER+) mammary gland carcinoma and Caenorhabditis elegans model, respectively. The efficacy of ALA was scrutinized in vivo and in vitro using various experiments like hemodynamic studies, morphological analysis, antioxidants parameters, immunoblotting, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The effect of ALA was also validated using C. elegans worms. ALA administration had a positive effect on tissue architecture of the malignancy when scrutinized through the whole mount carmine staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and scanning electron microscopy. The proteomic and genomic checkpoint revealed the participation of mitochondrial dysfunction, alteration of hypoxic microenvironment, and involvement of cholinergic anti-inflammatory response after treatment with ALA. ALA treatment has also increased the level of synaptic acetylcholine and acetylcholine esterase with a significant decrease in lipid content. It was concluded that ALA persuaded the mitochondrial stress, activation of downstream cholinergic anti-inflammatory markers, and favorable regulation of hypoxia microenvironment through inhibition of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein.

5-Desmethylnobiletin augments synaptic ACh levels and nicotinic ACh receptor activity: A potential candidate for alleviation of cholinergic dysfunction

Cholinergic function is compromised in plethora of neurodegenerative disorders especially Alzheimer's disease. Increasing acetylcholine (ACh) levels has been the mainstay in majority of the therapeutic regimens, accepted for management of disease. The present study investigates the efficacy of 5-Desmethylnobiletin (DN), a polymethoxyflavone in augmenting cholinergic function using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The studies revealed significant elevation in cholinergic transmission mediated through increased levels of ACh and activity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). Further investigation into the mechanistic aspects indicated that DN enhanced cholinergic function through down modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity at enzyme and transcript level along with upregulation of non alpha subunit, unc-29 which could be linked with enhanced nAChR activity as evident from levamisole assay. Additionally, studies on antioxidant properties, implicated significant potential of DN in curtailing ROS, both in vivo and in vitro. Our studies present DN as a phytomolecule with novel biological activities which could be exploited and researched upon for therapeutic avenues in terms of cholinergic function and antioxidant potential.