Chondroitin sulfate E alleviates β-amyloid toxicity in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans by inhibiting its aggregation

Harnessing the power of ginger leaf polysaccharide: A potential strategy to combat Aβ-induced toxicity through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is prevalent in the elderly, with amyloid-β (Aβ) playing a critical role in its progression. Polysaccharides have garnered increasing attention due to their low toxicity and diverse applications in alleviating AD-like symptoms. However, the potential of ginger leaf polysaccharide in mitigating AD-like symptoms has been rarely investigated. In this study, we isolated a polysaccharide (GLP1) from ginger leaf and evaluated its efficacy and underlying mechanisms in alleviating AD-like symptoms using Caenorhabditis elegans and PC12 cells. GLP1 ameliorated AD-like symptoms in C. elegans, as evidenced by a 41.50 % increase in head thrashing frequency and an 87.13 % increase in body bending frequency. Furthermore, GLP1 mitigated cognitive decline by 76.51 %. Additionally, GLP1 enhanced the activity of acetylcholinesterase in C. elegans and maintained the integrity of neural system function. Moreover, GLP1 improved the survival rate of PC12 cells under Aβ induction by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which also resulted in a reduction in the release of inflammatory factors, specifically IL-1β by 21.15 %, IL-6 by 39.98 %, and TNF-α by 19.66 %. Notably, FITC-labeled GLP1 could be absorbed by PC12 cells. These compelling findings underscored the therapeutic potential of GLP1 in alleviating Aβ-induced AD-like symptoms and supported the advancement of ginger leaf resource utilization.

Studying the mechanisms of neurodegeneration: C. elegans advantages and opportunities

Caenorhabditis elegans has been widely used as a model organism in neurodevelopment for several decades due to its simplicity, rapid growth, short life cycle, transparency, and rather simple genetics. It has been useful in modeling neurodegenerative diseases by the heterologous expression of the major proteins that form neurodegenerative-linked aggregates such as amyloid-β peptide, tau protein, and α-synuclein, among others. Furthermore, chemical treatments as well as the existence of several interference RNA libraries, transgenic worm lines, and the possibility of generating new transgenic strains create a magnificent range of possible tools to study the signaling pathways that could confer protection against protein aggregates or, on the contrary, are playing a detrimental role. In this review, we summarize the different C. elegans models of neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and how genetic tools could be used to dissect the signaling pathways involved in their pathogenesis mentioning several examples. Finally, we discuss the use of pharmacological agents in C. elegans models that could help to study these disease-associated signaling pathways and the powerful combinations of experimental designs with genetic tools. This review highlights the advantages of C. elegans as a valuable intermediary between in vitro and mammalian in vivo models in the development of potential new therapies.

Plant polysaccharides with anti-aging effects and mechanism in evaluation model Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging in human evolution leads to function decline and immune weakening, causing severe problems. Plant polysaccharides, as a key source of dietary fiber, play vital roles in enhancing intestinal health, regulating blood glucose, lowering cholesterol, and offer promising strategies for aging prevention. This review begins by examining the characteristics and applications of polysaccharides and elucidates the mechanisms of anti-aging effect of plant polysaccharides. It focuses on nematodes as an ideal anti - aging model, expounding their aging indicator evaluation methods, highlighting key pathways and molecules for aging inhibition, and elaborating on related plant polysaccharides. As polysaccharide anti - aging research mainly focuses on plants, this study aims to support their use against aging. C. elegans provides new anti - aging insights, but limited understanding of plant polysaccharide structure challenges structure - activity analysis. The review presents C. elegans - based strategies and plant polysaccharide challenges for further research. In summary, this review proposes novel strategies developed by Caenorhabditis elegans in anti-aging research as well as the challenges facing plant polysaccharides, providing insights for further research on anti-aging plant polysaccharides.

Melatonin derivative 6a protects Caenorhabditis elegans from formaldehyde neurotoxicity via ADH5

Formaldehyde (FA) is a carcinogen that is not only widespread in the environment, but is also produced endogenously by metabolic processes. In organisms, FA is converted to formic acid in a glutathione (GSH)-dependent manner by alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5). The abnormal accumulation of FA in the body can cause a variety of diseases, especially cognitive impairment leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, melatonin derivative 6a (MD6a) markedly improved the survival and chemotactic performance of wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to high concentrations of FA. MD6a lowered FA levels in the nematodes by enhancing the release of covalently-bound GSH from S-hydroxymethyl-GSH in an adh-5-dependent manner. In addition, MD6a protected against mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment in beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) transgenic nematodes by lowering endogenous FA levels and reducing Aβ aggregation in an adh-5-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that MD6a detoxifies FA via ADH5 and protects against Aβ toxicity by reducing endogenous FA levels in the C. elegans AD models. Thus, ADH5 might be a potential therapeutic target for FA toxicity and AD.

Recent progress in marine chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate hybrid chains as potential functional foods and therapeutic agents

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS), and CS/DS hybrid chains are natural complex glycosaminoglycans with high structural diversity and widely distributed in marine organisms, such as fish, shrimp, starfish, and sea cucumber. Numerous CS, DS, and CS/DS hybrid chains with various structures and activities have been obtained from marine animals and have received extensive attention. However, only a few of these hybrid chains have been well-characterized and commercially developed. This review presents information on the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activities, potential action mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships of marine CS, DS, and CS/DS hybrid chains. We also discuss the challenges and perspectives in the research of CS, DS, and CS/DS hybrid chains. This review may provide a useful reference for the further investigation, development, and application of CS, DS, and CS/DS hybrid chains in the fields of functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Preparation of low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate from different sources by H2O2/ascorbic acid degradation and its degradation mechanism

Low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate (LMCS) has attention for enhanced bioavailability and bioactivity compared to native CS. We optimized H2O2/ ascorbic acid (Vc) degradation conditions to prepare LMCS from chicken, bovine, and shark cartilages. Degradation kinetics models and chemical composition data of LMCS showed the GlcA residues of chondroitin-4-sulfate (CSA) may be preferentially attacked. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) indicated that the CH of GlcA in CS was broken through a hydrogen abstraction reaction to break the β-(1 → 3) bond and form the hexendioic acid product. Standard density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the energy required for the hydrogen abstraction from the C1-H bond in GlcA was lower than that of GalNAc. Molecular dynamics (MD) showed that CSA was more likely to interact with hydroxyl radicals (·OH) than non-sulfated chondroitin (CSO) and chondroitin-6-sulfate (CSC). These results provide guidance for producing LMCS.

Metabolic Regulations of Smilax china L. against β-Amyloid Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Smilax china L. (Chinaroot) is a natural herb that has multiple uses, such as being used to make tea and food. Both its roots and leaves have different uses due to their unique components. In this study, we analyzed the extract of S. china. roots using LC-HRMS and evaluated the neuroprotective effects and metabolic regulation of S. china on Caenorhabditis elegans. Chinaroot extract prolonged the life span of healthy nematodes, delayed the paralysis time of transgenic CL4176, and reduced the level of β-amyloid deposition in transgenic CL2006. The comprehensive analysis of metabolomics and qRT-PCR revealed that Chinaroot extract exerted neuroprotective effects through the valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation and fatty acid degradation pathways. Moreover, we first discovered that the expressions of T09B4.8, ech-7, and agxt-1 were linked to the neuroprotective effects of Chinaroot. The material exerted neuroprotective effects by modulating metabolic abnormalities in AD model C. elegans. Our study provides a new foundation for the development of functional food properties and functions.

Unveiling the neuroprotective potential of dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders present a growing and costly global health challenge, accounting for over 11% of the diseases burden in high-income countries. Despite current treatments, patients often experience persistent symptoms that significantly affect their quality of life. Dietary polysaccharides have garnered attention for their potential as interventions for CNS disorders due to their diverse mechanisms of action, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Through an analysis of research articles published between January 5, 2013 and August 30, 2023, encompassing the intervention effects of dietary polysaccharides on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and stroke, we have conducted a comprehensive review with the aim of elucidating the role and mechanisms of dietary polysaccharides in various CNS diseases, spanning neurodegenerative, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurological dysfunctions. At least four categories of mechanistic bases are included in the dietary polysaccharides' intervention against CNS disease, which involves oxidative stress reduction, neuronal production, metabolic regulation, and gut barrier integrity. Notably, the ability of dietary polysaccharides to resist oxidation and modulate gut microbiota not only helps to curb the development of these diseases at an early stage, but also holds promise for the development of novel therapeutic agents for CNS diseases. In conclusion, this comprehensive review strives to advance therapeutic strategies for CNS disorders by elucidating the potential of dietary polysaccharides and advocating interdisciplinary collaboration to propel further research in this realm.

Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to evaluate neuroprotective potential of nano formulations

The impact of neurodegenerative illnesses on society is significant, but the mechanisms leading to neuronal malfunction and death in these conditions remain largely unknown despite identifying essential disease genes. To pinpoint the mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, several researchers have turned to nematode C. elegans instead of using mammals. Since C. elegans is transparent, free-living, and amenable to culture, it has several benefits. As a result, all the neurons in C. elegans can be easily identified, and their connections are understood. Human proteins linked to Neurodegeneration can be made to express in them. It is also possible to analyze how C. elegans orthologs of the genes responsible for human neurodegenerative diseases function. In this article, we focused at some of the most important C. elegans neurodegeneration models that accurately represent many elements of human neurodegenerative illness. It has been observed that studies using the adaptable C. elegans have helped us in better understanding of human diseases. These studies have used it to replicate several aspects of human neurodegeneration. A nanotech approach involves engineering materials or equipments interacting with biological systems at the molecular level to trigger physiological responses by increasing stimulation, responding, and interacting with target sites while minimizing side effects, thus revolutionizing the treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Nanotechnologies are being used to treat neurological disorders and deliver nanoscale drugs. This review explores the current and future uses of these nanotechnologies as innovative therapeutic modalities in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases using C elegans as an experimental model.