Neuroprotective Effects of Acrocomia aculeata Pulp Oil Microcapsules on Rats Subjected to Chronic Stress.

Acrocomia aculeata fruits are rich in monounsaturated fatty acid, ß-carotene, tocopherol, and other antioxidant compounds. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the protective effects of A. aculeata pulp oil and microencapsulated pulp oil on brain oxidative damage induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in rats (cortex, hippocampus, and striatum). Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into six treatment groups: C, P, and M groups received 1 µL/g of body weight of distilled water, pulp oil, and pulp oil microcapsules by daily gavage, respectively. The SC, SP, and SM groups received 1 µL/g of body weight of distilled water, pulp oil, and pulp oil microcapsules by daily gavage, respectively, and were then subjected to uninterrupted 6 h of CRS. After 21 days of testing, the rats were euthanized and the brain tissue of the groups was removed for evaluation for oxidative damage markers and antioxidant enzymes. Endpoints of oxidative stress (OS) markers (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and reduced glutathione [GSH]) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were evaluated. By imposing chronic stress on rats, pulp oil and microcapsules of pulp oil induced positive antioxidant responses, mainly by increasing the GSH content, increasing the ability of neural tissues to deal with inherent OS, thus protecting against neurodegenerative diseases. The administration of A. aculeata pulp oil and microencapsulated pulp oil made the reversal of the oxidant parameters, which may protect the brain tissue of rats altered by CRS. The Clinical Trial Registration number: n° 1.008/2018 CEUA/UFMS.

On the antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of S-allyl cysteine: An update.

Therapeutic approaches based on isolated compounds obtained from natural products to handle central and peripheral disorders involving oxidative stress and inflammation are more common nowadays. The validation of nutraceutics vs. pharmaceutics as tools to induce preventive and protective profiles in human health alterations is still far of complete acceptance, but the basis to start more solid experimental and clinical protocols with natural products has already begun. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a promising garlic-derived organosulfur compound exhibiting a considerable number of positive actions in cell models and living systems. An update, in the form of review, is needed from time to time to get access to the state-of-the-art on this topic. In this review we visited recent and refreshing evidence of new already proven and potential targets to explain the benefits of using SAC against toxic and pathological conditions. The broad spectrum of protective actions covered by this molecule comprises antioxidant, redox modulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, accompanied by anti-apoptotic, pro-energetic and signaling capacities. Herein, we detail the evidence on these aspects to provide the reader a more complete overview on the promising aspects of SAC in research.

S-allyl cysteine protects against MPTP-induced striatal and nigral oxidative neurotoxicity in mice: participation of Nrf2.

The neuroprotective properties of S-allyl cysteine (SAC) have been demonstrated in different neurotoxic paradigms, and it may be partially attributable to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profile. Recently, SAC has also been shown to induce neuroprotection in the rat striatum in a toxic model induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in rats through a concerted antioxidant response involving Nrf2 transcription factor nuclear transactivation and Phase 2 enzymes' upregulation. In this work, we investigated whether the SAC-induced in vivo striatal and nigral neuroprotection against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropiridinium (MPTP) toxicity recruits Nrf2 transactivation in C57BL/6J mice. SAC (120 mg/kg, i.p. × 5 days) partially ameliorated the MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p. × 5 days)-induced striatal and nigral dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase depletion, attenuated the loss of Mn-SOD and HO-1 activities, and preserved the protein content of these enzymes. While no significant changes were detected for the striatal Nrf2 nuclear protein levels, the nigral Nrf2 nuclear content was decreased by MPTP and stimulated by SAC. Our findings suggest that SAC can exert neuroprotection since the origin of the dopaminergic lesion-at the substantia nigra (SN)-not only by means of direct antioxidant actions, but also through Nrf2 nuclear transactivation and Phase 2 enzymes upregulation.

Aged garlic extract attenuates cerebral damage and cyclooxygenase-2 induction after ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Different garlic products reduce the cerebral ischemic damage due to their antioxidant properties. In this work, we investigated the effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein levels and activity, and its role as a possible mechanism of neuroprotection in a cerebral ischemia model. Animals were subjected to 1 h of ischemia plus 24 h of reperfusion. AGE (1.2 ml/kg weight, i.p.) was administered at onset of reperfusion. To evaluate the damage induced by cerebral ischemia, the neurological deficit, the infarct area, and the histological alterations were measured. As an oxidative stress marker to deoxyribonucleic acid, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were determined. Finally, as inflammatory markers, TNFα levels and COX-2 protein levels and activity were measured. AGE treatment diminished the neurological alterations (61.6%), the infarct area (54.8%) and the histological damage (37.7%) induced by cerebral ischemia. AGE administration attenuated the increase in 8-OHdG levels (77.8%), in TNFα levels (76.6%), and in COX-2 protein levels (73.6%) and activity (30.7%) induced after 1 h of ischemia plus 24 h of reperfusion. These data suggest that the neuroprotective effect of AGE is associated not only to its antioxidant properties, but also with its capacity to diminish the increase in TNFα levels and COX-2 protein expression and activity. AGE may have the potential to attenuate the cerebral ischemia-induced inflammation.