3,4,5-Tricaffeoylquinic acid induces adult neurogenesis and improves deficit of learning and memory in aging model senescence-accelerated prone 8 mice

Rosemary extract activates oligodendrogenesis genes in mouse brain and improves learning and memory ability

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a rich source of dietary bioactive compounds such as rosmarinic acid and carnosol with a large repertoire of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. In the present study, we investigated rosemary as a potential new therapeutic agent for cognitive function and other symptoms of aging. In this present study, we have aimed to investigate the effects of oral administration of rosemary extract (RME) on learning and memory in the context of other biomarkers-related cognitive function and neurotransmitter levels in senescent accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mouse, a model of accelerating aging and Alzheimer's disease. The Morris water maze (MWM) test showed improved spatial learning and memory behavior in RME treated SAMP8 mouse. Moreover, RME decreased Aβ42 and inflammatory cytokine levels and increased BDNF, Sirt1, and neurotransmitter levels in SAMP8 mouse. Whole-genome microarray analysis revealed that RME significantly increased gene expression related to oligodendrocyte differentiation, myelination, and ATP production in the hippocampus and decreased gene expression related to stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Also, in the SAMP8 hippocampus, RME significantly increased Olig1 and Olig2 expression. Altogether, our study is the first to report improvement of spatial learning and memory of RME, modulation of genes important for oligodendrogenesis, and Anti-neuroinflammatory effect by suppressing Aβ42 levels in mouse brain and thus highlights the prospects of RME in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction and aging.

Comparison of Neurogenesis Promotion Effects between Cinnamoylquinic Acids in Neural Stem Cells from Adult Mice Brains

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) and feruloylquinic acids (FQAs), as cinnamoylquinic acids, have neurogenesis promotion effects. We studied for the first time the neurogenesis-enhancing effect of 3,4,5-tri-feruloylquinic acid (TFQA) compared to 3,4,5-tri-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA), which has a similar structure, and explored their different cellular and molecular mechanisms in neural stem cells (NSCs) of mice brains. After 2 weeks of incubation, we first assessed the number and size of NSCs in TCQA and TFQA treatments. In NSCs treated for TCQA and TFQA, the NSC proliferation gene expression as well as neuronal and glial cell differentiation gene expressions improved. In the microarray assay, the erythroblastic oncogene B (ErbB) signaling pathway, as the common signaling of TCQA and TFQA treatments, was focused on and discussed. In our study, TCQA and TFQA treatments in NSCs showed a significant performance on improving synapse growth and neurogenesis compared with no treatment of NSCs. The two treatments in NSCs also had a significant activation of the ErbB signaling pathway, protein kinase B (AKT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases. In particular, the TCQA-expressed proliferation gene myelocytomatosis oncogene (Myc) had the greatest connections significantly. TFQA treatment remarkably regulated the differentiation gene jun proto-oncogene (Jun), which was the gene with greatest direct relations, while Myc was also induced in TFQA treatment. In the overall quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, TFQA had more outstanding neural proliferation and differentiation capabilities than TCQA in NSCs. Our study suggests that TFQA has greater therapeutic potential in neurogenesis promotion and neurodegenerative diseases compared with TCQA.

Effects of Cooking Methods on Caffeoylquinic Acids and Radical Scavenging Activity of Sweet Potato

The effects of cooking methods, including steaming, deep-frying, and baking, on the phenolic content, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, and isomerization of caffeoylquinic acids in sweet potato were investigated. A high correlation was observed between antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. Deep-frying treatment resulted in higher antioxidant capacity with increasing heating time. The major phenolic components of raw sweet potat were 5-caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (diCQA), which were reduced by heat treatment due to the isomerization of 5-CAQ to 3- and 4-CQA, and 3,5-diCQA to 3,4- and 4,5-diCQA. Moreover, 5-CQA was more stable than 3,5-diCQA even at 100 °C. Our results demonstrated that by controlling the cooking temperature and time, new bioactive compounds such as mono- and diCQA derivatives can be produced from sweet potato. These data indicate a potential approach for the development of new functional foods from sweet potato by controlling cooking temperature and time.

Microarray meta-analysis reveals comprehensive effects of 3,4,5-tricaffeolyquinic acid in cell differentiation and signaling

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) are polyphenolic compounds found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, and spices that have exhibited several beneficial activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antidiabetic, and cardiovascular effects. A derivative, TCQA (3,4,5-Tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid), has also shown both neurogenic and pigment differentiation potential. A transcriptomic-based meta-analysis was conducted to explore potential biochemical processes and molecular targets of TCQA. This approach involved integrating data from various cell and tissue types, including human amniotic stem cells, human neural stem cells, human dermal papilla cells, and the brain cortex of aging model mice. It offered a comprehensive perspective on the significant gene regulations in response to TCQA treatment. The objective was to uncover the mechanism and novel targets of TCQA, facilitating a further understanding of its functions. New areas of interest found were TCQA's effect on adipogenesis, heart, and muscle tissue development. In addition, significantly enhanced biological activities found through meta-analysis included cell cycle, VEGFA-VEGFR2 pathway, and BMP signaling. Overall, a comprehensive functional and visual analysis using available biological databases uncovered the multi-target potential of this natural compound.

Characteristics of Phenolic Compounds in Peucedanum japonicum According to Various Stem and Seed Colors

Total polyphenol and total flavonoid assays were performed to characterize the relationships between the color of Peucedanum japonicum (PJ) seed coat and stem and the content of phytochemical compounds. The samples were divided into two groups based on their stem and seed coat color, with each group containing 23 samples. The stem color group was subdivided into green, light red, and red, whereas the seed coat color group was divided into light brown, brown, and dark brown. In the stem color group, the light red stems exhibited the highest content of phytochemical compounds, with levels over 10% higher than those of the stems of the other colors. Moreover, among the top ten samples with the highest total polyphenol content, eight samples were light red, and the light red group also exhibited the highest total flavonoid content among the examined color groups. In terms of the seed coat color, the plants grown from dark brown seeds exhibited the highest contents of both total polyphenols and total flavonoids. In conclusion, PJ plants with dark brown seeds and light red stems contained the highest levels of phytochemical compounds. Collectively, our findings provide a valuable basis for future seed selection of PJ for pharmaceutical purposes.

Inhibiting mitochondrial inflammation through Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway: A mechanism of alpinetin attenuated aging-associated cognitive impairment

Mitochondrial inflammation triggered by abnormal mitochondrial division and regulated by the Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway is correlated with the progression of aging-associated cognitive impairment (AACI). Alpinetin is a novel flavonoid derived from Zingiberaceae that has many bioactivities such as antiinflammation and anti-oxidation. However, whether alpinetin alleviates AACI by suppressing Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway-inhibited mitochondrial inflammation is still unknown. In the present study, D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging mice and BV-2 cells were used, and the effects of alpinetin on learning and memory function, neuroprotection and activation of the Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway were investigated. Our data indicated that alpinetin significantly alleviated cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage in the CA1 and CA3 regions of D-gal-treated mice. Moreover, D-gal-induced microglial activation was markedly reduced by alpinetin by inhibiting the Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway-suppressed mitochondrial inflammation, down-regulating the levels of p-Drp1 (s616), VDAC, NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved-caspase 1, IL-18, and IL-1β, and up-regulating the expression of HK1. Furthermore, after Drp1 inhibition by Mdivi-1 in vitro, the inhibitory effect of alpinetin on Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway was more evident. In summary, the current results implied that alpinetin attenuated aging-related cognitive deficits by inhibiting the Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway and suppressing mitochondrial inflammation, suggesting that the inhibition of the Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 pathway is one of the mechanisms by which alpinetin attenuates AACI.

Interactions between Major Bioactive Polyphenols of Sugarcane Top: Effects on Human Neural Stem Cell Differentiation and Astrocytic Maturation

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a tropical plant grown for sugar production. We recently showed that sugarcane top (ST) ameliorates cognitive decline in a mouse model of accelerated aging via promoting neuronal differentiation and neuronal energy metabolism and extending the length of the astrocytic process in vitro. Since the crude extract consists of multicomponent mixtures, it is crucial to identify bioactive compounds of interest and the affected molecular targets. In the present study, we investigated the bioactivities of major polyphenols of ST, namely 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3CQA), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5CQA), 3-O-feruloylquinic acid (3FQA), and Isoorientin (ISO), in human fetal neural stem cells (hNSCs)- an in vitro model system for studying neural development. We found that multiple polyphenols of ST contributed synergistically to stimulate neuronal differentiation of hNSCs and induce mitochondrial activity in immature astrocytes. Mono-CQAs (3CQA and 5CQA) regulated the expression of cyclins related to G1 cell cycle arrest, whereas ISO regulated basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors related to cell fate determination. Additionally, mono-CQAs activated p38 and ISO inactivated GSK3β. In hNSC-derived immature astrocytes, the compounds upregulated mRNA expression of PGC-1α, a master regulator of astrocytic mitochondrial biogenesis. Altogether, our findings suggest that synergistic interactions between major polyphenols of ST contribute to its potential for neuronal differentiation and astrocytic maturation.

Neural stem cell research in Africa: current realities and future prospects

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are immature progenitor cells that are found in developing and adult brains that have the potential of dividing actively and renewing themselves, with a complex form of gene expression. The generation of new brain cells in adult individuals was initially considered impossible, however, the landmark discovery of human neural stem cells in the hippocampus has been followed by further discoveries in other discreet regions of the brain. Investigation into the current state in Africa of the research and use of NSCs shows relatively limited activities on the continent. Information on the African application of NSCs for modelling disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and therapeutics is still limited. The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)-African Regional Committee (ARC), with support from the Company of Biologists, and the Movement Disorder Society, sponsored the first African Basic School on NSC in Ibadan, Nigeria, with the vision of bringing together young neuroscientists and physicians across different fields in neuroscience to learn from leaders who have applied NSCs in stem cell research, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, neuroanatomy, and neurotherapeutics. Twenty early-career researchers in academic institutions at junior and senior faculty cadres were selected from South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria. The students and organizer of the school, who wrote this review on the state of NSCs research in Africa, recommended the following: (1) other African countries can take a cue from South Africa and Nigeria in probing the phenomena of adult neurogenesis in unique animal species on the continent; (2) Africa should leverage the expertise and facilities of South African scientists and international collaborators in scaling up NSC research into these unique species and (3) Centers of Excellence should be established on the continent to serve as research hubs for training postgraduate students, and facilities for African scientists who trained overseas on NSCs.

Dysregulation of BMP, Wnt, and Insulin Signaling in Fragile X Syndrome

Drosophila models of neurological disease contribute tremendously to research progress due to the high conservation of human disease genes, the powerful and sophisticated genetic toolkit, and the rapid generation time. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most prevalent heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders, and the Drosophila FXS disease model has been critical for the genetic screening discovery of new intercellular secretion mechanisms. Here, we focus on the roles of three major signaling pathways: BMP, Wnt, and insulin-like peptides. We present Drosophila FXS model defects compared to mouse models in stem cells/embryos, the glutamatergic neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapse model, and the developing adult brain. All three of these secreted signaling pathways are strikingly altered in FXS disease models, giving new mechanistic insights into impaired cellular outcomes and neurological phenotypes. Drosophila provides a powerful genetic screening platform to expand understanding of these secretory mechanisms and to test cellular roles in both peripheral and central nervous systems. The studies demonstrate the importance of exploring broad genetic interactions and unexpected regulatory mechanisms. We discuss a number of research avenues to pursue BMP, Wnt, and insulin signaling in future FXS investigations and the development of potential therapeutics.

Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz.: A Promising Natural Neuroprotective Agent for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory loss in the elderly, which seriously affects the quality of their lives. Currently, the pathogenesis of AD remains unclear. Molecular biologists have proposed a variety of hypotheses, including the amyloid-β hypothesis, tau hyperphosphorylation hypothesis, cholinergic neuron injury, inflammation caused by an abnormal immune response, and gene mutation. Drugs based on these pathological studies, including cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, have achieved a certain level of efficacy but are far from meeting clinical needs. In the recent years, some important advances have been made in the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of AD. Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz. (EBHM) is an important medicinal plant distributed in Yunnan Province, China. Studies have shown that EBHM and its active ingredients have a variety of pharmacological effects with good therapeutic effects and wide application prospects for cognitive disability-related diseases. However, to our best knowledge, only few review articles have been published on the anti-AD effects of EBHM. Through a literature review, we identified the possible pathogenesis of AD, discussed the cultivation and phytochemistry of EBHM, and summarized the pharmacological mechanism of EBHM and its active ingredients in the treatment of AD to provide suggestions regarding anti-AD therapy as well as a broader insight into the therapeutic potential of EBHM.

Regulating Early Biological Events in Human Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells Using Natural Bioactive Compounds: Extendable Multidirectional Research Avenues

Stem cells isolated from perinatal tissue sources possess tremendous potential for biomedical and clinical applications. On the other hand, emerging data have demonstrated that bioactive natural compounds regulate numerous cellular and biochemical functions in stem cells and promote cell migration, proliferation, and attachment, resulting in maintaining stem cell proliferation or inducing controlled differentiation. In our previous studies, we have reported for the first time that various natural compounds could induce targeted differentiation of hAESCs in a lineage-specific manner by modulating early biological and molecular events and enhance the therapeutic potential of hAESCs through modulating molecular signaling. In this perspective, we will discuss the advantages of using naturally occurring active compounds in hAESCs and their potential implications for biological research and clinical applications.

Effect of Extraction Methodology on the Phytochemical Composition for Camelia sinensis “Powdered Tea Extracts” from Different Provenances

(1) Background: beverages based on extracts from Camellia sinensis are popular worldwide. Due to an increasing number of processed teas on the market, there is a need to develop unified classification standards based on chemical analysis. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterizations are mainly performed on tea samples from China (~80%). Hence, data on teas of other provenances is recommended. (2) Methods: in the present investigation, we characterized lyophilised extracts obtained by infusion, maceration and methanolic extraction derived from tea samples from China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Portugal by phytochemistry (catechins, oxyaromatic acids, flavonols, alkaloids and theanine). The real benefits of drinking the tea were analysed based on the bioavailability of the determined phytochemicals. (3) Results: the infusions revealed the highest total phenolic contents (TPC) amounts, while methanolic extracts yielded the lowest. The correlation matrix indicated that the levels of phenolic compounds were similar in the infusions and methanolic samples, while extractions made by maceration were significantly different. The differences could be partially explained by the different amounts of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and gallic acids (GA). The catechin percentages were significantly lower in the macerations, especially the quantity of EGCG decreases by 4- to 5-fold after this process. (4) Conclusions: the results highlight the importance of the processing methodology to obtain “instant tea”; the composition of the extracts obtained with the same methodology is not significantly affected by the provenance of the tea. However, attention should be drawn to the specificities of the Japanese samples (the tea analysed in the present work was of Sencha quality). In contrast, the extraction methodology significantly affects the phytochemical composition, especially concerning the content of polyphenols. As such, our results indicate that instant tea classification based on chemical composition is sensible, but there is a need for a standard extraction methodology, namely concerning the temperature and time of contact of the tea leaves with the extraction solvent.

Recent Neurotherapeutic Strategies to Promote Healthy Brain Aging: Are we there yet?

Owing to the global exponential increase in population ageing, there is an urgent unmet need to develop reliable strategies to slow down and delay the ageing process. Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in our contemporary society and represent a major socio-economic burden. There are several controversial factors that are thought to play a causal role in brain ageing which are continuously being examined in experimental models. Among them are oxidative stress and brain inflammation which are empirical to brain ageing. Although some candidate drugs have been developed which reduce the ageing phenotype, their clinical translation is limited. There are several strategies currently in development to improve brain ageing. These include strategies such as caloric restriction, ketogenic diet, promotion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, removal of senescent cells, 'young blood' transfusions, enhancement of adult neurogenesis, stem cell therapy, vascular risk reduction, and non-pharmacological lifestyle strategies. Several studies have shown that these strategies can not only improve brain ageing by attenuating age-related neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, but also maintain cognitive function in a variety of pre-clinical experimental murine models. However, clinical evidence is limited and many of these strategies are awaiting findings from large-scale clinical trials which are nascent in the current literature. Further studies are needed to determine their long-term efficacy and lack of adverse effects in various tissues and organs to gain a greater understanding of their potential beneficial effects on brain ageing and health span in humans.

Phytochemical Analysis of Polyphenols in Leaf Extract from Vernonia amygdalina Delile Plant Growing in Uganda

Due to the presence of phytochemicals, plants have been known to be used in the treatment and management of various diseases. Vernonia amygdalina, belonging to the Asteraceae family, is a plant known for its many applications in traditional medicine for various purposes. Previous studies on the methanolic leaf extract of this plant have proved the antibacterial, cytotoxic, anticancer and antioxidant effects indicative of promising therapeutic potentials. In this work, chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques along with high-performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis were adopted to isolate, identify and quantify polyphenolic compounds in V. amygdalina leaf extract. UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS and UHPLC-DAD methods were adopted for qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. In the case of polyphenol separation, some reference substances were isolated by preparative HPLC. Seven polyphenols were identified and quantified in this study: 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, luteolin hexoside, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and luteolin dihexoside, with 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid being isolated in the highest quantity of 27.49 mg g−1 extract.

Luteolin Modulates Neural Stem Cells Fate Determination: In vitro Study on Human Neural Stem Cells, and in vivo Study on LPS-Induced Depression Mice Model

Luteolin is a natural flavone with neurotrophic effects observed on different neuronal cell lines. In the present study, we aimed to assess the effect of luteolin on hNSCs fate determination and the LPS-induced neuroinflammation in a mouse model of depression with astrocytogenesis defect. hNSCs were cultured in basal cell culture medium (control) or medium supplemented with luteolin or AICAR, a known inducer of astrogenesis. A whole-genome transcriptomic analysis showed that luteolin upregulated the expressions of genes related to neurotrophin, dopaminergic, hippo, and Wnt signaling pathways, and downregulated the genes involved in p53, TNF, FOXO, and Notch signaling pathways. We also found that astrocyte-specific gene GFAP, as well as other genes of the key signaling pathways involved in astrogenesis such as Wnt, BMP, and JAK-STAT pathways were upregulated in luteolin-treated hNSCs. On the other hand, neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis-related genes, TUBB3, NEUROD 1 and 6, and MBP, were downregulated in luteolin-treated hNSCs. Furthermore, immunostaining showed that percentages of GFAP+ cells were significantly higher in luteolin- and AICAR-treated hNSCs compared to control hNSCs. Additionally, RT-qPCR results showed that luteolin upregulated the expressions of GFAP, BMP2, and STAT3, whereas the expression of TUBB3 remained unchanged. Next, we evaluated the effects of luteolin in LPS-induced mice model of depression that represents defects in astrocytogenesis. We found that oral administration of luteolin (10 mg/Kg) for eight consecutive days could decrease the immobility time on tail suspension test, a mouse behavioral test measuring depression-like behavior, and attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses by significantly decreasing IL-6 production in mice brain-derived astrocytes and serum, and TNFα and corticosterone levels in serum. Luteolin treatment also significantly increased mature BDNF, dopamine, and noradrenaline levels in the hypothalamus of LPS-induced depression mice. Though the behavioral effects of luteolin did not reach statistical significance, global gene expression analyses of mice hippocampus and brain-derived NSCs highlighted the modulatory effects of luteolin on different signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Altogether, our findings suggest an astrocytogenic potential of luteolin and its possible therapeutic benefits in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. However, further studies are required to identify the specific mechanism of action of luteolin.

Caffeoylquinic acids: chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are specialized plant metabolites we encounter in our daily life. Humans consume CQAs in mg-to-gram quantities through dietary consumption of plant products. CQAs are considered beneficial for human health, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Recently, new biosynthetic pathways via a peroxidase-type p-coumaric acid 3-hydroxylase enzyme were discovered. More recently, a new GDSL lipase-like enzyme able to transform monoCQAs into diCQA was identified in Ipomoea batatas. CQAs were recently linked to memory improvement; they seem to be strong indirect antioxidants via Nrf2 activation. However, there is a prevalent confusion in the designation and nomenclature of different CQA isomers. Such inconsistencies are critical and complicate bioactivity assessment since different isomers differ in bioactivity and potency. A detailed explanation regarding the origin of such confusion is provided, and a recommendation to unify nomenclature is suggested. Furthermore, for studies on CQA bioactivity, plant-based laboratory animal diets contain CQAs, which makes it difficult to include proper control groups for comparison. Therefore, a synthetic diet free of CQAs is advised to avoid interferences since some CQAs may produce bioactivity even at nanomolar levels. Biotransformation of CQAs by gut microbiota, the discovery of new enzymatic biosynthetic and metabolic pathways, dietary assessment, and assessment of biological properties with potential for drug development are areas of active, ongoing research. This review is focused on the chemistry, biosynthesis, occurrence, analytical challenges, and bioactivity recently reported for mono-, di-, tri-, and tetraCQAs.

Grape skin extract modulates neuronal stem cell proliferation and improves spatial learning in senescence-accelerated prone 8 mice

In recent years, the number of patients with neurodegenerative illness such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has increased with the aging of the population. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Grape skin extract (GSE) on neurotypic SH-SY5Y cells as an in vitro AD model, murine neurospheres as an ex vivo neurogenesis model and SAMP8 mice as an in vivo AD model. Our in vitro result showed that pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with GSE ameliorated Aβ-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, GSE treatment significantly decreased the number of neurospheres, but increased their size suggesting reduced stem cell self-renewal but increased proliferation. Our in vivo Morris water maze test indicated that GSE improves learning and memory in SAMP8 mice. To detect proliferation and newborn neurons, we measured BrdU+ cells in the dentate gyrus (DG). GSE treatment increased the number of BrdU+ cells in the DG of SAMP8 mice. Finally, we showed that GSE induced a decrease in inflammatory cytokines and an increase in neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex of SAMP8 mice. These results suggested that GSE increased neurogenic zone proliferation and memory but decreased oxidative stress associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines in aging, thus protecting neurons.

Loss of NRF2 accelerates cognitive decline, exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, and is required for the cognitive enhancing effects of Centella asiatica during aging

The water extract of Centella asiatica (CAW) improves cognitive and mitochondrial function and activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) regulated antioxidant response pathway in aged mice. Here we investigate whether NRF2 activation is required for the cognitive and mitochondrial effects of prolonged CAW exposure during aging. Five-month-old NRF2 knockout (NRF2KO) and wild-type mice were treated with CAW for 1, 7, or 13 months. Each cohort underwent cognitive testing and hippocampal mitochondrial analyses. Age-related cognitive decline was accelerated in NRF2KO mice and while CAW treatment improved cognitive performance in wild-type mice, it had no effect on NRF2KO animals. Hippocampal mitochondrial function also declined further with age in NRF2KO mice and greater hippocampal mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with poorer cognitive performance in both genotypes. Long-term CAW treatment did not affect mitochondrial endpoints in animals of either genotype. These data indicate that loss of NRF2 results in accelerated age-related cognitive decline and worsened mitochondrial deficits. NRF2 also appears to be required for the cognitive enhancing effects of CAW during aging.

Regulating cell fate of human amnion epithelial cells using natural compounds: an example of enhanced neural and pigment differentiation by 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid

Over the past years, Human Amnion Epithelial Cells (hAECs), a placental stem cell, are gaining higher attention from the scientific community as they showed several advantages over other types of stem cells, including availability, easy accessibility, reduced rejection rate, non-tumorigenicity, and minimal legal constraint. Recently, natural compounds are used to stimulate stem cell differentiation and proliferation and to enhance their disease-treating potential. A polyphenolic compound 3,4,5-Tri-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid (TCQA) has been previously reported to induce human neural stem cell differentiation and may affect melanocyte stem cell differentiation as well. In this study, TCQA was tested on 3D cultured hAECs after seven days of treatment, and then, microarray gene expression profiling was conducted of TCQA-treated and untreated control cells on day 0 and day 7. Analyses revealed that TCQA treatment significantly enriched pigment and neural cells sets; besides, genes linked with neurogenesis, oxidation-reduction process, epidermal development, and metabolism were positively regulated. Interestingly, TCQA stimulated cell cycle arrest-related pathways and differentiation signaling. On the other hand, TCQA decreased interleukins and cytokines expression and this due to its anti-inflammatory properties as a polyphenolic compound. Results were validated to highlight the main activities of TCQA on hAECs, including differentiation, cell cycle arrest, and anti-inflammatory. This study highlights the important role of hAECs in regenerative medicine and the use of natural compounds to regulate their fate. Video abstract.

Dietary Anti-Aging Polyphenols and Potential Mechanisms

For years, the consumption of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been considered healthy, increasing longevity, and decreasing morbidities. With the assistance of basic research investigating the potential mechanisms, it has become clear that the beneficial effects of plant-based foods are mainly due to the large amount of bioactive phenolic compounds contained. Indeed, substantial dietary intervention studies in humans have supported that the supplementation of polyphenols have various health-promoting effects, especially in the elderly population. In vitro examinations on the anti-aging mechanisms of polyphenols have been widely performed, using different types of natural and synthetic phenolic compounds. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the experimental evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of polyphenols on aging-related diseases. We highlight the potential anti-aging mechanisms of polyphenols, including antioxidant signaling, preventing cellular senescence, targeting microRNA, influencing NO bioavailability, and promoting mitochondrial function. While the trends on utilizing polyphenols in preventing aging-related disorders are getting growing attention, we suggest the exploration of the beneficial effects of the combination of multiple polyphenols or polyphenol-rich foods, as this would be more physiologically relevant to daily life.

Microalgae Aurantiochytrium Sp. Increases Neurogenesis and Improves Spatial Learning and Memory in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 Mice

Much attention has recently been focused on nutraceuticals, with minimal adverse effects, developed for preventing or treating neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study was conducted to investigate the potential effect on neural development and function of the microalgae Aurantiochytrium sp. as a nutraceutical. To test neuroprotection by the ethanol extract of Aurantiochytrium (EEA) and a derivative, the n-Hexane layer of EEA (HEEA), amyloid-β-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells, was used as an in vitro AD model. We then assessed the potential enhancement of neurogenesis by EEA and HEEA using murine ex vivo neurospheres. We also administered EEA or HEEA to senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a non-transgenic strain with accelerated aging and AD-like memory loss for evaluation of spatial learning and memory using the Morris water maze test. Finally, we performed immunohistochemical analysis for assessment of neurogenesis in mice administered EEA. Pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with EEA or the squalene-rich fraction of EEA, HEEA, ameliorated amyloid-β-induced cytotoxicity. Interestingly, only EEA-treated cells showed a significant increase in cell metabolism and intracellular adenosine triphosphate production. Moreover, EEA treatment significantly increased the number of neurospheres, whereas HEEA treatment significantly increased the number of β-III-tubulin+ young neurons and GFAP+ astrocytes. SAMP8 mice were given 50 mg/kg EEA or HEEA orally for 30 days. EEA and HEEA decreased escape latency in the Morris water maze in SAMP8 mice, indicating improved memory. To detect stem cells and newborn neurons, we administered BrdU for 9 days and measured BrdU+ cells in the dentate gyrus, a neurogenic stem cell niche of the hippocampus. In SAMP8 mice, EEA rapidly and significantly increased the number of BrdU+GFAP+ stem cells and their progeny, BrdU+NeuN+ mature neurons. In conclusion, our data in aggregate indicate that EEA and its constituents could be developed into a nutraceutical for promoting brain health and function against several age-related diseases, particularly AD.

Dietary administration of cumin-derived cuminaldehyde induce neuroprotective and learning and memory enhancement effects to aging mice

Cuminaldehyde (CA) is one of the major compounds of the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CA on aging, specifically on spatial learning and memory. To achieve our objective, an in vitro study on SH-SY5Y cells was performed to analyze the neuroprotective effect of CA against dexamethasone using the MTT assay. An in vivo study was performed for evaluation of the spatial learning and memory using Morris water maze (MWM). RT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of specific genes (Bdnf, Icam and ApoE) in the mice brain. The results obtained showed a neuroprotective effect of CA against dexamethasone-induced neuronal toxicity. The escape latency of CA-treated aged mice was significantly decreased as compared to the water-treated aged mice after 4 days of training in MWM. Moreover, CA treatment up-regulated the gene expression of Bdnf, Icam and ApoE, while it down-regulated the gene expression of IL-6. These findings suggest that CA has a neuroprotective effect, as well as a spatial learning and memory enhancement potential through the modulation of genes coding for neurotrophic factors and/or those implicated in the imbalance of neural circuitry and impairment of synaptic plasticity.

Cuminaldehyde (CA) is one of the major compound of the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of CA on aging, specifically on spatial learning and memory. To achieve our objective, an in vitro study on SH-SY5Y cells was performed to analyze the neuroprotective effect of CA against dexamethasone using the MTT assay. An in vivo study was performed for evaluation of the spatial learning and memory using Morris water maze (MWM). RT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of specific genes (Bdnf, Icam and ApoE) in the mice brain. The results obtained showed a neuroprotective effect of CA against dexamethasone-induced neuronal toxicity. The escape latency of CA-treated aged mice was significantly decreased as compared to the water-treated aged mice after 4 days of training in MWM. Moreover, CA treatment up-regulated the gene expression of Bdnf, Icam and ApoE, while it down-regulated the gene expression of IL-6. These findings suggest that CA has a neuroprotective effect, as well as a spatial learning and memory enhancement potential through the modulation of genes coding for neurotrophic factors and/or those implicated in the imbalance of neural circuitry and impairment of synaptic plasticity.

Adult neurogenesis and the molecular signalling pathways in brain: the role of stem cells in adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Molecular signalling pathways are an evolutionarily conserved multifaceted pathway that can control diverse cellular processes. The role of signalling pathways in regulating development and tissue homeostasis as well as hippocampal neurogenesis is needed to study in detail. In the adult brain, the Notch signalling pathway, in collaboration with the Wnt/β-catenin, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and sonic hedgehog (Shh) molecular signalling pathways, are involved in stem cell regulation in the hippocampal formation, and they also control the plasticity of the neural stem cells (NSCs) or neural progenitor cells (NPCs) which involved in neurogenesis processes. Here we discuss the distinctive roles of molecular signalling pathways involved in the generation of new neurons from a pool of NSCs in the adult brain. Our approach will facilitate the understanding of the molecular signalling mechanism of hippocampal neurogenesis during NSCs development in the adult brain using molecular aspects coupled with cell biological and physiological analysis.

Caffeoylquinic Acids in Centella asiatica Reverse Cognitive Deficits in Male 5XFAD Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice

Centella asiatica (CA) is an edible plant and a popular botanical dietary supplement. It is reputed, in Ayurveda, to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. There is a considerable body of preclinical literature supporting CA's ability to improve learning and memory. This study evaluated the contribution of CA's triterpenes (TT), widely considered its active compounds, and caffeoylquinic acids (CQA) to the cognitive effects of CA water extract (CAW) in 5XFAD mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease. 5XFAD mice were fed a control diet alone, or one containing 1% CAW or compound groups (TT, CQA, or TT + CQA) equivalent to their content in 1% CAW. Wild-type (WT) littermates received the control diet. Conditioned fear response (CFR) was evaluated after 4.5 weeks. Female 5XFAD controls showed no deficit in CFR compared to WT females, nor any effects from treatment. In males, CFR of 5XFAD controls was attenuated compared to WT littermates (p = 0.005). 5XFAD males receiving CQA or TT + CQA had significantly improved CFR (p < 0.05) compared to 5XFAD male controls. CFR did not differ between 5XFAD males receiving treatment diets and WT males. These data confirm a role for CQA in CAW's cognitive effects.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Top Extract Ameliorates Cognitive Decline in Senescence Model SAMP8 Mice: Modulation of Neural Development and Energy Metabolism

Age-related biological alterations in brain function increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia, a global problem exacerbated by aging populations in developed nations. Limited pharmacological therapies have resulted in attention turning to the promising role of medicinal plants and dietary supplements in the treatment and prevention of dementia. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) top, largely considered as a by-product because of its low sugar content, in fact contains the most abundant amounts of antioxidant polyphenols relative to the rest of the plant. Given the numerous epidemiological studies on the effects of polyphenols on cognitive function, in this study, we analyzed polyphenolic constituents of sugarcane top and examined the effect of sugarcane top ethanolic extract (STEE) on a range of central nervous system functions in vitro and in vivo. Orally administrated STEE rescued spatial learning and memory deficit in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, a non-transgenic strain that spontaneously develops a multisystemic aging phenotype including pathological features of Alzheimer's disease. This could be correlated with an increased number of hippocampal newborn neurons and restoration of cortical monoamine levels in STEE-fed SAMP8 mice. Global genomic analysis by microarray in cerebral cortices showed multiple potential mechanisms for the cognitive improvement. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed biological processes such as neurogenesis, neuron differentiation, and neuron development were significantly enriched in STEE-fed mice brain compared to non-treated SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, STEE treatment significantly regulated genes involved in neurotrophin signaling, glucose metabolism, and neural development in mice brain. Our in vitro results suggest that STEE treatment enhances the metabolic activity of neuronal cells promoting glucose metabolism with significant upregulation of genes, namely PGK1, PGAM1, PKM, and PC. STEE also stimulated proliferation of human neural stem cells (hNSCs), regulated bHLH factor expression and induced neuronal differentiation and astrocytic process lengthening. Altogether, our findings suggest the potential of STEE as a dietary intervention, with promising implications as a novel nutraceutical for cognitive health.

β-catenin-mediated hair growth induction effect of 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid

The hair follicle is a complex structure that goes through a cyclic period of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen) under the regulation of several signaling pathways, including Wnt/ β-catenin, FGF, Shh, and Notch. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is specifically involved in hair follicle morphogenesis, regeneration, and growth. β-catenin is expressed in the dermal papilla and promotes anagen induction and duration, as well as keratinocyte regulation and differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated the activation of β-catenin by a polyphenolic compound 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) in mice model and in human dermal papilla cells to promote hair growth cycle. A complete regrowth of the shaved area of C3H mice was observed upon treatment with TCQA. Global gene expression analysis using microarray showed an upregulation in hair growth-associated genes. Moreover, the expression of β-catenin was remarkably upregulated in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that β-catenin activation by TCQA promoted the initiation of the anagen phase of the hair cycle.

Interaction Between Neurogenic Stimuli and the Gene Network Controlling the Activation of Stem Cells of the Adult Neurogenic Niches, in Physiological and Pathological Conditions

In the adult mammalian brain new neurons are continuously generated throughout life in two niches, the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone. This process, called adult neurogenesis, starts from stem cells, which are activated and enter the cell cycle. The proliferative capability of stem cells progressively decreases during aging. The population of stem cells is generally quiescent, and it is not clear whether the potential for stem cells to expand is limited, or whether they can expand and then return to quiescence, remaining available for further activation. Certain conditions may deregulate stem cells quiescence and self-renewal. In fact we discuss the possibility of activation of stem cells by neurogenic stimuli as a function of the intensity of the stimulus (i.e., whether this is physiological or pathological), and of the deregulation of the system (i.e., whether the model is aged or carrying genetic mutations in the gene network controlling quiescence). It appears that when the system is aged and/or carrying mutations of quiescence-maintaining genes, preservation of the quiescent state of stem cells is more critical and stem cells can be activated by a neurogenic stimulus which is ineffective in normal conditions. Moreover, when a neurogenic stimulus is in itself a cause of brain damage (e.g., kainic acid treatment) the activation of stem cells occurs bypassing any inhibitory control. Plausibly, with strong neurogenic stimuli, such as kainic acid injected into the dentate gyrus, the self-renewal capacity of stem cells may undergo rapid exhaustion. However, the self-renewal capability of stem cells persists when normal stimuli are elicited in the presence of a mutation of one of the quiescence-maintaining genes, such as p16Ink4a, p21Cip1 or Btg1. In this case, stem cells become promptly activated by a neurogenic stimulus even during aging. This indicates that stem cells retain a high proliferative capability and plasticity, and suggests that stem cells are protected against the response to stimulus and are resilient to exhaustion. It will be interesting to assess at which functional degree of deregulation of the quiescence-maintaining system, stem cells will remain responsive to repeated neurogenic stimuli without undergoing exhaustion of their pool.

3,4,5-Tri-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid Promoted Hair Pigmentation Through β-Catenin and Its Target Genes

The hair follicle undergoes a regular cycle composed of three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The life of follicular melanocytes is totally linked to the hair cycle; and during anagen or the growth phase, the melanocytes are active and produce the melanin responsible of hair shaft pigmentation. Various signaling pathways regulate the hair growth cycle and, therefore, the pigmentation; we distinguish the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as it plays a major role in the development, growth, and proliferation of the melanocytes and the activation of melanogenesis enzymes and the related transcription factor. In this study, 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid (TCQA), a caffeoylquinic acid derivative, stimulated the pigmentation in C3H mouse hair follicle, in human melanocytes, and B16F10 melanoma cells. An enhancement in pigmentation associated genes was observed upon TCQA treatment in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, the expression of β-catenin was remarkably upregulated in mouse treated skin and in pigment cell lines. Moreover, TCQA upregulated CTNNB1 expression after inhibition in human melanocytes. Taken together, this study suggests that TCQA triggered β-catenin activation to enhance the pigmentation during the anagen phase of the hair cycle.

HCMV-encoded IE2 induces anxiety-depression and cognitive impairment in UL122 genetically-modified mice

Although there is a high risk of mood disorders and cognitive impairment in congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections, the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms of HCMV have not yet been fully determined. In this study, we show that immediate-early 2 (IE2) protein modulates affective and cognitive behaviors. We used a UL122 genetically-modified mice model that can continuously express IE2 protein. We used a series of animal behavior tests to determine the relationship between HCMV-encoded IE2 and psychiatric disorders. In open-field, elevated plus-maze test and tail suspension tests, we found that UL122 genetically-modified mice displayed more anxiety-depression behavior than did wild-type (WT) mice. The Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test showed that spatial learning and memory were lower in UL122 genetically-modified mice model than in WT mice. Level of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) protein in the hippocampus cornu ammonia areas (CA1, CA3) and dentate gyrus (DG) of the experimental group was significantly lower, consistent with immunohistochemical staining and western blot for neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Levels of SYP and PSD-95 proteins were lower in the hippocampus UL122 genetically-modified mice. These data suggest the importance of HCMV-encoded IE2 for studying anxiety and depression behaviors and for the spatial learning and memory. This would help to further explain the molecular pathological mechanism of psychiatric disorders caused by HCMV infection.

Antidepressant-Like Effect of Ferulic Acid via Promotion of Energy Metabolism Activity

SCOPE

Ferulic acid (FA), a natural phenolic phytochemical abundantly present in whole grains, herbs, and dried fruits, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, the antidepressant-like effects of FA in male ICR mice using tail suspension test (TST) are investigated and its molecular mechanisms are explored.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Oral administration of FA at a dose of 5 mg kg-1 for 7 days significantly reduces immobility of mice compared to vehicle-administered control group. Microarray and real-time PCR analyses reveal that FA upregulates the expression of several genes associated with cell survival and proliferation, energy metabolism, and dopamine synthesis in mice limbic system of brain. Interestingly, it is found that FA, unlike antidepressant drug bupropion, strongly promotes energy metabolism. Additionally, FA increases catecholamine (dopamine and noradrenaline), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and ATP levels, and decreases glycogen levels in the limbic system of the mice brain.

CONCLUSION

The research provides the first evidence that FA enhances energy production, which can be the underlying mechanism of the antidepressant-like effects of FA observed in this study.