Effects of Subdiaphragmatic Vagotomy in the MPTP-induced Neurotoxicity in the Striatum and Colon of Mice

Mangiferin alleviates 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease by inhibiting AKR1C3 to activate Wnt signaling pathway

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with a lack of effective treatment options. mangiferin, a bioactive compound derived from mango, has been shown to possess strong neuroprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of mangiferin on PD and its underlying mechanisms using both in vitro and in vivo models of 6-OHDA-induced PD. Additionally, we conducted molecular docking experiments to evaluate the interaction between mangiferin and AKR1C3 and β-catenin. Our results demonstrated that treatment with mangiferin significantly attenuated 6-OHDA-induced cell damage in PC12 cells, reducing intracellular oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial membrane potential, and restoring the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a characteristic protein of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, mangiferin reduced the accumulation of α-synuclein and inhibited the expression of AKR1C3, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo studies revealed that mangiferin improved motor dysfunction in 6-OHDA-induced PD mice. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the interaction between mangiferin and AKR1C3 and β-catenin. These findings indicate that mangiferin exerts significant neuroprotective effects in 6-OHDA-induced PD by inhibiting AKR1C3 and activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, mangiferin may emerge as an innovative therapeutic strategy in the comprehensive treatment regimen of PD patients, providing them with better clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Role in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Viral Infections

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is the umbrella term to include all bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract in the mammalian body. Evidence from over two centuries describes a significant role of GI microbiome in health and disease states of the host organism. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), mainly acetate, butyrate, and propionate that are the physiological forms of acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid respectively, are GI bacteria derived metabolites. SCFAs have been reported to influence cellular function in multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). In addition, the inflammation modulating properties of SCFAs make them suitable therapeutic candidates in neuroinflammatory conditions. This review provides a historical background of the GBA and current knowledge of the GI microbiome and role of individual SCFAs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recently, a few reports have also identified the effects of GI metabolites in the case of viral infections. Among these viruses, the flaviviridae family is associated with neuroinflammation and deterioration of CNS functions. In this context, we additionally introduce SCFA based mechanisms in different viral pathogenesis to understand the former's potential as agents against flaviviral disease.