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1.
Neurochem Res ; 49(12): 3383-3395, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39302597

ABSTRACT

Population aging is a global reality driven by increased life expectancy. This demographic phenomenon is intrinsically linked to the epidemic of cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, posing challenges for elderly and their families. In this context, the search for new therapeutic strategies to prevent or minimize cognitive impairments becomes urgent, as these deficits are primarily associated with oxidative damage and increased neuroinflammation. Ferulic acid (FA), a natural and potent antioxidant compound, is proposed to be nanoencapsulated to target the central nervous system effectively with lower doses and an extended duration of action. Here, we evaluated the effects of the nanoencapsulated FA on d-galactose (d-Gal)- induced memory impairments. Male Wistar adult rats were treated with ferulic acid-loaded nanocapsules (FA-Nc) or non-encapsulated ferulic acid (D-FA) for 8 weeks concurrently with d-Gal (150 mg/kg s.c.) injection. As expected, our findings showed that d-Gal injection impaired memory processes and increased anxiety behavior, whereas FA-Nc treatment ameliorated these behavioral impairments associated with the aging process induced by d-Gal. At the molecular level, nanoencapsulated ferulic acid (FA-Nc) ameliorated the decrease in ACh and glutamate induced by d-galactose (d-Gal), and also increased GABA levels in the dorsal hippocampus, indicating its therapeutic superiority. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying our current promising outcomes. Nanoscience applied to pharmacology can reduce drug dosage, thereby minimizing adverse effects while enhancing therapeutic response, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. Therefore, the strategy of brain-targeted drug delivery through nanoencapsulation can be effective in mitigating aging-related factors that may lead to cognitive deficits.


Subject(s)
Aging , Anxiety , Coumaric Acids , Galactose , Glutamic Acid , Memory Disorders , Rats, Wistar , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid , Animals , Coumaric Acids/pharmacology , Coumaric Acids/therapeutic use , Male , Aging/drug effects , Aging/metabolism , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/metabolism , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism , Anxiety/drug therapy , Anxiety/metabolism , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Rats , Brain/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Nanostructures , Nanocapsules
2.
J Psychopharmacol ; 38(12): 1170-1183, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39262284

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) is a berry rich in anthocyanins, bioactive compounds known for their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that benefit human health. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the effects of blackcurrant and its association with Donepezil on memory impairment, cholinergic neurotransmission, and antioxidant systems in a mouse model of amnesia induced by chronic administration of Scopolamine. METHODS: Adult male Swiss mice were given saline, blackcurrant (50 mg/kg, orally), and/or Donepezil (5 mg/kg, orally) and/or Scopolamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). RESULTS: Behavioral tests revealed that blackcurrant and/or Donepezil prevented the learning and memory deficits induced by Scopolamine. In the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, blackcurrant and/or Donepezil treatments prevented the increase in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities induced by Scopolamine. Scopolamine also disrupted the glutathione redox system and increased levels of reactive species; nevertheless, blackcurrant and/or Donepezil treatments were able to prevent oxidative stress. Furthermore, these treatments prevented the increase in gene expression and protein density of acetylcholinesterase and the decrease in gene expression of the choline acetyltransferase enzyme induced by Scopolamine. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that blackcurrant and Donepezil, either alone or in combination, have anti-amnesic effects by modulating cholinergic system enzymes and improving the redox profile. Therefore, blackcurrant could be used as a natural supplement for the prevention and treatment of memory impairment in neurodegenerative diseases.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase , Antioxidants , Donepezil , Memory Disorders , Oxidative Stress , Plant Extracts , Ribes , Scopolamine , Animals , Male , Mice , Donepezil/pharmacology , Ribes/chemistry , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/prevention & control , Memory Disorders/metabolism , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/metabolism , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Piperidines/pharmacology , Indans/pharmacology , Butyrylcholinesterase/metabolism , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Amnesia/chemically induced , Amnesia/drug therapy , Amnesia/metabolism , Amnesia/prevention & control , Signal Transduction/drug effects
3.
Biochem Pharmacol ; 226: 116339, 2024 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38848781

ABSTRACT

Sleep is a fundamental state for maintaining the organism homeostasis. Disruptions in sleep patterns predispose to the appearance of memory impairments and mental disorders, including depression. Recent pre-clinical studies have highlighted the antidepressant-like properties of the synthetic compound 2-phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran (SeBZF1). To further investigate the neuromodulatory effects of SeBZF1, this study aimed to assess its therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating neurobehavioral impairments induced by sleep deprivation (SD) in mice. For this purpose, a method known as multiple platforms over water was used to induce rapid eye movement (REM) SD. Two hours after acute SD (24 h), male Swiss mice received a single treatment of SeBZF1 (5 mg/kg, intragastric route) or fluoxetine (a positive control, 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route). Subsequently, behavioral tests were conducted to assess spontaneous motor function (open-field test), depressive-like behavior (tail suspension test), and memory deficits (Y-maze test). Brain structures were utilized to evaluate oxidative stress markers, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Our findings revealed that SD animals displayed depressive-like behavior and memory impairments, which were reverted by SeBZF1 and fluoxetine treatments. SeBZF1 also reverted the increase in lipoperoxidation levels and glutathione peroxidase activity in the pre-frontal cortex in mice exposed to SD. Besides, the increase in hippocampal AChE activity induced by SD was overturned by SeBZF1. Lastly, cortical MAO-B activity was reestablished by SeBZF1 in mice that underwent SD. Based on the main findings of this study, it can be inferred that the compound SeBZF1 reverses the neurobehavioral alterations induced by sleep deprivation in male Swiss mice.


Subject(s)
Benzofurans , Sleep Deprivation , Animals , Male , Mice , Sleep Deprivation/drug therapy , Benzofurans/pharmacology , Benzofurans/therapeutic use , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Depression/drug therapy , Organoselenium Compounds/pharmacology , Organoselenium Compounds/therapeutic use , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Maze Learning/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects
4.
Alzheimers Dement ; 20(8): 5398-5410, 2024 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38934107

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Impaired brain protein synthesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory are major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) has been shown to modulate protein synthesis, but its effects on memory in AD models remain elusive. METHODS: We investigated the effects of HNK on hippocampal protein synthesis, long-term potentiation (LTP), and memory in AD mouse models. RESULTS: HNK activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p70S6 kinase 1 (S6K1)/ribosomal protein S6 signaling pathways. Treatment with HNK rescued hippocampal LTP and memory deficits in amyloid-ß oligomers (AßO)-infused mice in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. Treatment with HNK further corrected aberrant transcription, LTP and memory in aged APP/PS1 mice. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that HNK induces signaling and transcriptional responses that correct synaptic and memory deficits in AD mice. These results raise the prospect that HNK could serve as a therapeutic approach in AD. HIGHLIGHTS: The ketamine metabolite HNK activates hippocampal ERK/mTOR/S6 signaling pathways. HNK corrects hippocampal synaptic and memory defects in two mouse models of AD. Rescue of synaptic and memory impairments by HNK depends on ERK signaling. HNK corrects aberrant transcriptional signatures in APP/PS1 mice.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Disease Models, Animal , Hippocampus , Ketamine , Mice, Transgenic , Neuronal Plasticity , Animals , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Ketamine/analogs & derivatives , Ketamine/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/metabolism , Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects , Mice , Long-Term Potentiation/drug effects , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Memory/drug effects , Male , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism , Presenilin-1/genetics , Humans
5.
Acta Neuropsychiatr ; 36(5): 307-319, 2024 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38770713

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on emotional and cognitive symptoms in rats with intra-nigral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats received bilateral intranigral 6-OHDA infusions and were tested in a battery of behavioural paradigms to evaluate non-motor symptoms. The brains were obtained to evaluate the effects of CBD on hippocampal neurogenesis. RESULTS: 6-OHDA-lesioned rats exhibited memory impairments and despair-like behaviour in the novelty-suppressed feeding test and forced swim test, respectively. The animals also exhibited dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), striatum, and ventral tegmental area and a reduction of hippocampal neurogenesis. CBD decreased dopaminergic neuronal loss in the SNpc, reduced the mortality rate and decreased neuroinflammation in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. In parallel, CBD prevented memory impairments and attenuated despair-like behaviour that were induced by bilateral intranigral 6-OHDA lesions. Repeated treatment with CBD favoured the neuronal maturation of newborn neurons in the hippocampus in Parkinsonian rats. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest a potential beneficial effect of CBD on non-motor symptoms induced by intra-nigral 6-OHDA infusion in rats.


Subject(s)
Cannabidiol , Disease Models, Animal , Hippocampus , Neurogenesis , Oxidopamine , Parkinsonian Disorders , Rats, Wistar , Animals , Cannabidiol/pharmacology , Male , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/pathology , Rats , Parkinsonian Disorders/drug therapy , Parkinsonian Disorders/chemically induced , Oxidopamine/pharmacology , Neurogenesis/drug effects , Dopaminergic Neurons/drug effects , Dopaminergic Neurons/pathology , Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/pathology , Behavior, Animal/drug effects
6.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets ; 23(12): 1499-1515, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38712373

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In response to inflammation and other stressors, tryptophan is catalyzed by Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase (TDO), which leads to activation of the kynurenine pathway. Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection, and the brain is the inflammation target in this condition. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine if the induction of TDO contributes to the permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), mortality, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, besides long-term behavioral alterations in a preclinical model of sepsis. METHODS: Male Wistar rats with two months of age were submitted to the sepsis model using Cecal Ligation and Perforation (CLP). The rats received allopurinol (Allo, 20 mg/kg, gavage), a TDO inhibitor, or a vehicle once a day for seven days. RESULTS: Sepsis induction increased BBB permeability, IL-6 level, neutrophil infiltrate, nitric oxide formation, and oxidative stress, resulting in energy impairment in 24h after CLP and Allo administration restored these parameters. Regarding memory, Allo restored short-term memory impairment and decreased depressive behavior. However, no change in survival rate was verified. CONCLUSION: In summary, TDO inhibition effectively prevented depressive behavior and memory impairment 10 days after CLP by reducing acute BBB permeability, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial alteration.


Subject(s)
Allopurinol , Blood-Brain Barrier , Depression , Oxidative Stress , Sepsis , Tryptophan Oxygenase , Animals , Male , Rats , Allopurinol/pharmacology , Allopurinol/therapeutic use , Blood-Brain Barrier/drug effects , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Depression/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Memory/drug effects , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Rats, Wistar , Sepsis/drug therapy , Sepsis/complications , Sepsis/metabolism , Tryptophan Oxygenase/metabolism , Tryptophan Oxygenase/antagonists & inhibitors
7.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(7)2024 Mar 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38612521

ABSTRACT

The beneficial effects of increasing histamine levels on memory have acquired special interest due to their applicability to psychiatric conditions that cause memory impairments. In addition, by employing drug repurposing approaches, it was demonstrated that dihydroergotamine (DHE), an FDA drug approved to treat migraines, inhibits Histamine N Methyl Transferase (HNMT), the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of histamine in the brain. For this reason, in the present work, the effect of DHE on histamine levels in the hippocampus and its effects on memory was evaluated, employing the scopolamine-induced amnesia model, the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) paradigm, and the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Furthermore, the role of histamine 1 receptor (H1R) and histamine 2 receptor (H2R) antagonists in the improvement in memory produced by DHE in the scopolamine-induced amnesia model was evaluated. Results showed that the rats that received DHE (10 mg/kg, i.p.) showed increased histamine levels in the hippocampus after 1 h of administration but not after 5 h. In behavioral assays, it was shown that DHE (1 mg/kg, i.p.) administered 20 min before the training reversed the memory impairment produced by the administration of scopolamine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) immediately after the training in the NOR paradigm and MWM. Additionally, the effects in memory produced by DHE were blocked by pre-treatment with pyrilamine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) administered 30 min before the training in the NOR paradigm and MWM. These findings allow us to demonstrate that DHE improves memory in a scopolamine-induced amnesia model through increasing histamine levels at the hippocampus due to its activity as an HNMT inhibitor.


Subject(s)
Dihydroergotamine , Scopolamine , Animals , Rats , Histamine , Amnesia/chemically induced , Amnesia/drug therapy , Brain , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Histamine H2 Antagonists
8.
Int. j. morphol ; 42(2): 470-478, abr. 2024. ilus
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1558149

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: We evaluated the role and mechanism of acteoside in the regulation of memory impairment induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). CUMS was used to induce depression in rats and the successful establishment of CUMS model were verified by forced swimming test and sucrose preference test. The Y-maze test and novel object recognition test assessed memory functions. The structural changes in the cortex and hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting determined the protein levels. Y-maze test and novel object recognition test showed that there was memory performance impairment in rats of CUMS group, which was improved by the acteoside treatment. HE staining showed that CUMS exposure damaged the structure in the cortex and hippocampus, while the acteoside treatment alleviated the structural changes. Compared with the control group, the levels of BNDF and CREB in the cortex and hippocampus of the CUMS group were significantly decreased. Acteoside significantly reversed the expressions of these proteins in CUMS rats. Meanwhile, compared with the control group, the levels of p-mTOR and p- P70S6K in the cortex and hippocampus of the CUMS group were significantly increased, and these changes were significantly reversed by acteoside. Nevertheless, the effect of acteoside on mTOR signaling was markedly blocked by rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mTOR signaling. Acteoside can attenuate memory impairment and ameliorate neuronal damage and synaptic plasticity in depression rats probably via inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. Acteoside may serve as a novel reagent for the prevention of depression.


Evaluamos el papel y el mecanismo del acteoside en la regulación del deterioro de la memoria inducido por estrés leve crónico impredecible (ELCI). Se utilizó ELCI para inducir depresión en ratas y el establecimiento exitoso del modelo ELCI se verificó mediante una prueba de natación forzada y una prueba de preferencia de sacarosa. La prueba del laberinto en Y y la prueba de reconocimiento de objetos novedosos evaluaron las funciones de la memoria. Los cambios estructurales en la corteza y el hipocampo se observaron mediante tinción con hematoxilina y eosina (HE). La tinción por inmunofluorescencia y la transferencia Western determinaron los niveles de proteína. La prueba del laberinto en Y y la prueba de reconocimiento de objetos novedosos mostraron que había un deterioro del rendimiento de la memoria en ratas del grupo ELCI, que mejoró con el tratamiento con acteósidos. La tinción con HE mostró que la exposición a ELCI dañó la estructura de la corteza y el hipocampo, mientras que el tratamiento con actósidos alivió los cambios estructurales. En comparación con el grupo de control, los niveles de BNDF y CREB en la corteza y el hipocampo del grupo ELCI disminuyeron significativamente. Acteoside revirtió significativamente las expresiones de estas proteínas en ratas ELCI. Mientras tanto, en comparación con el grupo control, los niveles de p-mTOR y p-P70S6K en la corteza y el hipocampo del grupo ELCI aumentaron significativamente, y estos cambios fueron revertidos significativamente ELCI por el acteoside. Sin embargo, el efecto del acteoside sobre la señalización de mTOR fue notablemente bloqueado por la rapamicina, un inhibidor específico de la señalización de mTOR. El acteoside puede atenuar el deterioro de la memoria y mejorar el daño neuronal y la plasticidad sináptica en ratas con depresión, probablemente mediante la inhibición de la vía de señalización mTOR. Acteoside puede servir como un reactivo novedoso para la prevención de la depresión.


Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Depression/drug therapy , Polyphenols/administration & dosage , Glucosides/administration & dosage , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Stress, Psychological/complications , Blotting, Western , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Maze Learning , Recognition, Psychology/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Polyphenols/therapeutic use , Behavior Rating Scale , MTOR Inhibitors , Glucosides/therapeutic use , Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects , Neurons
9.
Mol Neurobiol ; 61(2): 609-621, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37648841

ABSTRACT

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuropsychiatric disturbance, cognitive impairment, and locomotor dysfunction. In the early stage (chorea) of HD, expression of dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) is reduced, whereas dopamine (DA) levels are increased. Contrary, in the late stage (bradykinesia), DA levels and the expression of D2R and dopamine D1 receptors (D1R) are reduced. 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is a toxin that may replicate HD behavioral phenotypes and biochemical aspects. This study assessed the neurotransmitter levels, dopamine receptor gene expression, and the effect of acute exposure to quinpirole (D2R agonist) and eticlopride (D2R antagonist) in an HD model induced by 3-NPA in adult zebrafish. Quinpirole and eticlopride were acutely applied by i.p. injection in adult zebrafish after chronic treatment of 3-NPA (60 mg/kg). 3-NPA treatment caused a reduction in DA, glutamate, and serotonin levels. Quinpirole reversed the bradykinesia and memory loss induced by 3-NPA. Together, these data showed that 3-NPA acts on the dopaminergic system and causes biochemical alterations similar to late-stage HD. These data reinforce the hypothesis that DA levels are linked with locomotor and memory deficits. Thus, these findings may suggest that the use of DA agonists could be a pharmacological strategy to improve the bradykinesia and memory deficits in the late-stage HD.


Subject(s)
Dopamine , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Nitro Compounds , Propionates , Salicylamides , Animals , Dopamine/metabolism , Quinpirole/pharmacology , Zebrafish/metabolism , Hypokinesia , Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism , Dopamine Agonists/pharmacology , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism
10.
Commun Biol ; 6(1): 1127, 2023 11 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37935829

ABSTRACT

The proteasome plays key roles in synaptic plasticity and memory by regulating protein turnover, quality control, and elimination of oxidized/misfolded proteins. Here, we investigate proteasome function and localization at synapses in Alzheimer's disease (AD) post-mortem brain tissue and in experimental models. We found a marked increase in ubiquitinylated proteins in post-mortem AD hippocampi compared to controls. Using several experimental models, we show that amyloid-ß oligomers (AßOs) inhibit synaptic proteasome activity and trigger a reduction in synaptic proteasome content. We further show proteasome inhibition specifically in hippocampal synaptic fractions derived from APPswePS1ΔE9 mice. Reduced synaptic proteasome activity instigated by AßOs is corrected by treatment with rolipram, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, in mice. Results further show that dynein inhibition blocks AßO-induced reduction in dendritic proteasome content in hippocampal neurons. Finally, proteasome inhibition induces AD-like pathological features, including reactive oxygen species and dendritic spine loss in hippocampal neurons, inhibition of hippocampal mRNA translation, and memory impairment in mice. Results suggest that proteasome inhibition may contribute to synaptic and memory deficits in AD.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Mice , Animals , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex , Neuronal Plasticity , Memory Disorders/drug therapy
11.
Biomolecules ; 13(9)2023 08 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37759689

ABSTRACT

N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is a potential carcinogen known to cause liver tumors and chronic inflammation, diabetes, cognitive problems, and signs like Alzheimer's disease (AD) in animals. This compound is classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. Usual sources of exposure include food, beer, tobacco, personal care products, water, and medications. AD is characterized by cognitive decline, amyloid-ß (Aß) deposit, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cell loss. This is accompanied by neuroinflammation, which involves release of microglial cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) upregulation; each are linked to AD progression. Weak PI3K/Akt insulin-signaling inhibits IRS-1 phosphorylation, activates GSK3ß and promotes tau hyperphosphorylation. Metformin, an antihyperglycemic agent, has potent anti-inflammatory efficacy. It reduces proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α via NF-κB inhibition. Metformin also reduces reactive oxidative species (ROS) and modulates cognitive disorders reported due to brain insulin resistance links. Our study examined how NDEA affects spatial memory in Wistar rats. We found that all NDEA doses tested impaired memory. The 80 µg/kg dose of NDEA increased levels of Aß1-42, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the hippocampus, which correlated with memory loss. Nonetheless, treatment with 100 mg/kg of metformin attenuated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and Aß1-42, and enhanced memory. It suggests that metformin may protect against NDEA-triggered memory issues and brain inflammation.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Metformin , Animals , Rats , Alzheimer Disease/chemically induced , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Carcinogens , Cytokines , Diethylnitrosamine , Hippocampus , Interleukin-6 , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Metformin/pharmacology , Metformin/therapeutic use , NF-kappa B , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Rats, Wistar , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
12.
Braz J Biol ; 83: e271785, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37610945

ABSTRACT

Ortho-eugenol is a synthetic derivative from eugenol, the major compound of clove essential oil, which has demonstrated antidepressant and antinociceptive effects in pioneering studies. Additionally, its effects appear to be dependent on the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Depression and anxiety disorders are known to share a great overlap in their pathophysiology, and many drugs are effective in the treatment of both diseases. Furthermore, high levels of anxiety are related to working memory deficits and increased oxidative stress. Thus, in this study we investigated the effects of acute treatment of ortho-eugenol, at 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg, on anxiety, working memory and oxidative stress in male Swiss mice. Our results show that the 100 mg/kg dose increased the number of head-dips and reduced the latency in the hole-board test. The 50 mg/kg dose reduced malondialdehyde levels in the prefrontal cortex and the number of Y-maze entries compared to the MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion group. All doses reduced nitrite levels in the hippocampus. It was also possible to assess a statistical correlation between the reduction of oxidative stress and hyperlocomotion after the administration of ortho-eugenol. However, acute treatment was not able to prevent working memory deficits. Therefore, the present study shows that ortho-eugenol has an anxiolytic and antioxidant effect, and was able to prevent substance-induced hyperlocomotion. Our results contribute to the elucidation of the pharmacological profile of ortho-eugenol, as well as to direct further studies that seek to investigate its possible clinical applications.


Subject(s)
Eugenol , Memory, Short-Term , Male , Animals , Mice , Eugenol/pharmacology , Eugenol/therapeutic use , Anxiety/drug therapy , Anxiety Disorders , Oxidative Stress , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Clove Oil
13.
Behav Brain Res ; 453: 114615, 2023 09 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37558167

ABSTRACT

Aspartame (ASP) is a common sweetener, but studies show it can harm the nervous system, causing learning and memory deficits. ß-caryophyllene (BCP), a natural compound found in foods, including bread, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and spices, has already described as a neuroprotector agent. Remarkably, ASP and BCP are commonly consumed, including in the same meal. Therefore, considering that (a) the BCP displays plenty of beneficial effects; (b) the ASP toxicity; and (c) that they can be consumed in the same meal, this study sought to investigate if the BCP would mitigate the memory impairment induced by ASP in rats and investigate the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/ tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrKB) signaling pathway and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Young male Wistar rats received ASP (75 mg/kg; i.g.) and/or BCP (100 mg/kg; i.p.) once daily, for 14 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were evaluated in the open field and object recognition tests. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. Results showed that the BCP effectively protected against the cognitive damage caused by ASP in short and long-term memories. In addition, BCP mitigated the increase in AChE activity caused by ASP. Molecular insights revealed augmented BDNF and TrKB levels in the hippocampus of rats treated with BCP, indicating greater activation of this pathway. In conclusion, BCP protected against ASP-induced memory impairment. AChE activity and the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway seem to be potential targets of BCP modulatory role in this study.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase , Cognitive Dysfunction , Animals , Male , Rats , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Aspartame/metabolism , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism , Cognitive Dysfunction/metabolism , Hippocampus/metabolism , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/prevention & control , Rats, Wistar , Receptor, trkB/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Tropomyosin/metabolism
14.
J Neuroimmunol ; 381: 578131, 2023 08 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37413943

ABSTRACT

Ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of human morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke involves complex events, including oxidative stress and inflammation, that lead to neuronal loss and cognitive deficits. Palmatine (PAL) is a naturally occurring (Coptidis rhizome) isoquinoline alkaloid that belongs to the class of protoberberines and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological and biological effects. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of Palmatine on neuronal damage, memory deficits, and inflammatory response in mice submitted to permanent focal cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery (pMCAO) occlusion. The animals were treated with Palmatine (0.2, 2 and 20 mg/kg/day, orally) or vehicle (3% Tween + saline solution) 2 h after pMCAO once daily for 3 days. Cerebral ischemia was confirmed by evaluating the infarct area (TTC staining) and neurological deficit score 24 h after pMCAO. Treatment with palmatine (2 and 20 mg/kg) reduced infarct size and neurological deficits and prevented working and aversive memory deficits in ischemic mice. Palmatine, at a dose of 2 mg/kg, had a similar effect of reducing neuroinflammation 24 h after cerebral ischemia, decreasing TNF-, iNOS, COX-2, and NF- κB immunoreactivities and preventing the activation of microglia and astrocytes. Moreover, palmatine (2 mg/kg) reduced COX-2, iNOS, and IL-1ß immunoreactivity 96 h after pMCAO. The neuroprotective properties of palmatine make it an excellent adjuvant treatment for strokes due to its inhibition of neuroinflammation.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids , Brain Ischemia , Ischemic Stroke , Neuroprotective Agents , Humans , Mice , Animals , Neuroinflammatory Diseases , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Brain Ischemia/complications , Brain Ischemia/drug therapy , Cerebral Infarction , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/etiology , Memory Disorders/prevention & control , Alkaloids/therapeutic use , NF-kappa B , Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/complications , Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology
15.
J Chem Neuroanat ; 132: 102317, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37482145

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts social interaction and sensory processing, is rising. Valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy causes autistic-like traits in offspring. Olanzapine (OLZ), an atypical antipsychotic, is used to treat ASD. We assessed the impact of OLZ on behavior, neuromorphology, and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the hippocampus using prenatal VPA treatment in rats. It is commonly known that ASD patients exhibit sensory abnormalities. As such, we utilized the tail flick test to validate the ASD model. In the novel object recognition test (NORT), VPA exposure reduces the discrimination index (DI) in the first introduction to the novel object. Moreover, OLZ and vehicle-treated rats perform differently in the second exposition to the DI of the novel object, suggesting that OLZ reverses VPA-induced deficits in recognition memory. The latency to find the hidden platform in the Morris water maze test of memory and learning improves in VPA-exposed rats after OLZ administration, indicating that OLZ improves spatial memory in these rats. Administration of prenatal VPA induces neuronal hypotrophy and reduces spine density in pyramidal neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Treatment with OLZ corrects the neuromorphological changes brought on by VPA. In the CA1 region of the hippocampus, VPA treatment increases the number of neurons, which normalizes with OLZ treatment. OLZ increases the NO levels in the dorsal hippocampus in control rats. In rats exposed to VPA, the second-generation antipsychotic OLZ reduces memory-related and neuroplastic alterations. The current findings support the use of OLZ in this illness and further validate the use of prenatal VPA as a model of ASD.


Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents , Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Pregnancy , Female , Rats , Male , Animals , Humans , Autistic Disorder/chemically induced , Autistic Disorder/drug therapy , Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Olanzapine/adverse effects , Autism Spectrum Disorder/chemically induced , Valproic Acid/pharmacology , Valproic Acid/therapeutic use , Neurons , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/drug therapy , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced , Behavior, Animal , Social Behavior
16.
Life Sci ; 324: 121711, 2023 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37088413

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease is a multisystemic neurodegenerative disorder that includes motor and non-motor symptoms, and common symptoms include memory loss and learning difficulties. Thus, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of a hydroalcoholic extract of Brazilian purple cherry (Eugenia uniflora) (HAE-BC) on memory impairments induced by intranasal 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration in rats and the involvement of hippocampal BDNF/TrkB/p75NTR pathway in its effects. Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to MPTP (1 mg/nostril) or vehicle. Twenty-four hours later, the HAE-BC treatments began at doses of 300 or 2000 mg/kg/day or vehicle for 14 days. From 7 days after the MPTP induction, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests to evaluate several cognitive paradigms. HAE-BC treatments, at both doses, blocked the MPTP-caused disruption in the social recognition memory, short- and long-term object recognition memories, and working memory. Furthermore, MPTP-induced motor deficit linked to striatal tyrosine hydroxylase levels decreased, which was blocked by HAE-BC. Our findings demonstrated that HAE-BC blocked the MPTP-induced increase in the hippocampal pro-BDNF, TrkB.t1, and p75NTR levels. The pro-BDNF/p75NTR interaction negatively regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity, and the neuroprotective effect of HAE-BC was related, at least partly, to the modulation of this hippocampal signaling pathway. Thus, our study reports the first evidence of the potential therapeutic of E. uniflora in a Parkinson's disease model in rodents.


Subject(s)
Eugenia , Neuroprotective Agents , Parkinson Disease , Rats , Animals , Male , Mice , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Rats, Wistar , Eugenia/metabolism , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/prevention & control , Memory Disorders/metabolism , 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine , Disease Models, Animal , Mice, Inbred C57BL
17.
Metab Brain Dis ; 38(4): 1261-1272, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36735154

ABSTRACT

The blackberry (Rubus sp.) is a popular fruit that has a high concentration of phenolic compounds. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated the important biological activities of the blackberry extract, such as neuroprotective actions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of blackberry extract on memory and neurochemical parameters in rats subjected to scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia. Male rats were divided into five groups: I, control (saline); II, SCO; III, SCO + Rubus sp. (100 mg/kg); IV, SCO + Rubus sp. (200 mg/kg); and V, SCO + donepezil (5 mg/kg). Blackberry extract and donepezil were orally administered for 10 days. On day 11, group I received saline, and groups II, III, IV, and V received SCO (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally after object recognition behavioral training. Twenty-four hours after the training session, animals were subjected to an object recognition test. Finally, the animals were euthanized, and the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum were collected to evaluate the oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Rubus sp. extract prevented memory impairment induced by SCO in a manner similar to that of donepezil. Additionally, Rubus sp. extract and donepezil prevented the increase in AChE activity induced by SCO in all the evaluated brain structures. SCO induced oxidative damage in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, which was prevented by Rubus sp. and donepezil. Our results suggest that the antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of Rubus sp. are associated with memory improvement; hence, it can potentially be used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


Subject(s)
Rubus , Rats , Male , Animals , Rubus/metabolism , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Donepezil/pharmacology , Donepezil/therapeutic use , Amnesia/chemically induced , Amnesia/drug therapy , Amnesia/prevention & control , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Scopolamine/pharmacology , Hippocampus/metabolism , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cerebellum/metabolism , Maze Learning
18.
Brain Res Bull ; 193: 1-10, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36442692

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized mostly by memory decline. The current therapeutic arsenal for treating AD is limited, and the available drugs only produce symptomatic benefits, but do not stop disease progression. The search for effective therapeutic alternatives with multitarget actions is therefore imperative. One such a potential alternative is thiazolidin-4-one, a compound that exhibits anti-amnesic, anticholinesterase, and antioxidant activities. The aim of this study was evaluated the effects of 2-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)- 3-(3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl) thiazolidin-4-one (DS12) on memory and neurochemical parameters in a model of AD induced by an intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Adult male rats were divided into five groups: I, control (saline); II, DS12 (10 mg/kg); III, STZ; IV, STZ + DS12 (10 mg/kg); V, STZ + donepezil (5 mg/kg). The rats were orally treated with DS12 and donepezil for a period of 20 days. Memory, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, phosphorylated tau protein levels and oxidative stress were analyzed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated in the blood and serum. Memory impairment and the increase in AChE activity and phosphorylated tau protein level induced by STZ were prevented by DS12 and donepezil treatment. Streptozotocin induces an increase in reactive oxygen species levels and a decrease in catalase activity in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum. DS12 treatment conferred protection from oxidative alterations in all brain structures. No changes were observed in serum biochemical parameters (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, and urea) or hematological parameters, such as platelets, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total plasma protein. DS12 improved memory and neurochemical changes in an AD model and did not show toxic effects, suggesting the promising therapeutic potential of this compound.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Rats , Male , Animals , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Donepezil/pharmacology , Donepezil/therapeutic use , tau Proteins/metabolism , Streptozocin/toxicity , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/prevention & control , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Disease Models, Animal , Maze Learning
19.
Mol Neurobiol ; 60(3): 1733-1745, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36567360

ABSTRACT

Growing evidence has associated major depressive disorder (MDD) as a risk factor or prodromal syndrome for the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although this dilemma remains open, it is widely shown that a lifetime history of MDD is correlated with faster progression of AD pathology. Therefore, antidepressant drugs with neuroprotective effects could be an interesting therapeutic conception to target this issue simultaneously. In this sense, 1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4- carboxamide (QTC-4-MeOBnE) was initially conceived as a multi-target ligand with affinity to ß-secretase (BACE), glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), and acetylcholinesterase but has also shown secondary effects on pathways involved in neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in preclinical models of AD. Herein, we investigated the effect of QTC-4-MeOBnE (1 mg/kg) administration for 45 days on depressive-like behavior and memory impairment in 3xTg mice, before the pathology is completely established. The treatment with QTC-4-MeOBnE prevented memory impairment and depressive-like behavior assessed by the Y-Maze task and forced swimming test. This effect was associated with the modulation of plural pathways involved in the onset and progression of AD, in cerebral structures of the cortex and hippocampus. Among them, the reduction of amyloid beta (Aß) production mediated by changes in amyloid precursor protein metabolism and hippocampal tau phosphorylation through the inhibition of kinases. Additionally, QTC-4-MeOBnE also exerted beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and synaptic integrity. Overall, our studies suggest that QTC-4-MeOBnE has a moderate effect in a transgenic model of AD, indicating that perhaps studies regarding the neuropsychiatric effects as a neuroprotective molecule are more prone to be feasible.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Depressive Disorder, Major , Mice , Animals , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , tau Proteins/metabolism , Mice, Transgenic , Depressive Disorder, Major/pathology , Neuroinflammatory Diseases , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/complications , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Triazoles/pharmacology , Memory Disorders/complications , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/metabolism , Hippocampus/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism
20.
Neurotox Res ; 40(5): 1440-1454, 2022 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36029454

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder clinically manifested by a gradual cognitive decline. Intracerebroventricular injection (ICV) of streptozotocin (STZ), a model of sporadic AD (sAD), shows many aspects of sAD abnormalities (i.e., neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, protein aggregation), resulting in memory impairment. Andrographolide (ANDRO), a natural diterpene lactone, has numerous bioactivities including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies in rodents revealed that ANDRO has neuroprotective properties and restores cognitive impairment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ANDRO in the ICV-STZ model relative to short-term spatial memory (object location test (OLT) and Y maze test), short-term recognition memory (object recognition test (ORT)), locomotor activity (open field test (OFT)), expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), and activation of astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression) and microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) immunohistochemistry) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP). Wistar rats were injected ICV with STZ (3 mg/kg) or vehicle and treated with ANDRO (2 mg/kg, i.p.; three times per week). After four weeks, ANDRO attenuated the impairments of the Y maze and ORT performances, and the increase of astrocyte activation in the PFC induced by the ICV-STZ model. In addition, ANDRO decreased the number of activated microglia cells in the HIP of STZ-injected rats. The APP expression was not altered, neither by the STZ nor ANDRO. ANDRO showed a beneficial effect on memory impairment and neuroinflammation in the STZ model of AD.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Diterpenes , Alzheimer Disease/chemically induced , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/pharmacology , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Calcium , Disease Models, Animal , Diterpenes/pharmacology , Diterpenes/therapeutic use , Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein , Lactones/adverse effects , Maze Learning , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Memory Disorders/metabolism , Neuroinflammatory Diseases , Protein Aggregates , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Streptozocin/toxicity
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