1
|
Hosseini S, Ghadimi M, Reyhani N, Khazaei S, Rahmatkhah-Yazdi M, Soleimani-Farsani R, Vaseghi S. BDNF and GSK-3beta expression changes underlie the beneficial effects of crocin on behavioral alterations in a rat model of autism induced by prenatal valproic acid administration. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2025; 398:7571-7582. [PMID: 39777538 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2024] [Accepted: 12/28/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2025]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction, language, and communication and induction of stereotypic behavior. In rodents, prenatal administration of valproic acid (often on 12.5 gestational days) is used for the induction of an ASD-like model. In the present study, we aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of crocin (a major component of Saffron, a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent) on behavioral dysfunctions with respect to the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta) in the medial prefrontal cortex. Valproic acid was intraperitoneally injected at the dose of 600 mg/kg on 12.5 gestational days. BDNF and GSK-3beta expression levels were also measured using real-time PCR. Locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, grooming, and sniffing were also measured in the open-field test. The results showed that prenatal valproic acid administration induced hyperactivity, anxiety-like behavior, increased grooming and sniffing (stereotyped behavior), decreased BDNF levels, and increased GSK-3beta levels in the medial prefrontal cortex. However, crocin dose-dependently restored the effects of prenatal valproic acid administration on behavioral functions and gene expressions. In conclusion, we suggested that BDNF and GSK-3beta expression changes in the medial prefrontal cortex may underlie the pathophysiology of ASD. The therapeutic effects of crocin may be also related to counteracting BDNF and GSK-3beta expression changes induced by prenatal valproic acid.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyedehfatemeh Hosseini
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Ghadimi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Niloufar Reyhani
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Sepideh Khazaei
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Majid Rahmatkhah-Yazdi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Reza Soleimani-Farsani
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jasemi E, Razmi A, Vaseghi S, Amiri S, Najafi SMA. The effect of Psilocybe cubensis alkaloids on depressive-like behavior in mice exposed to maternal separation with respect to hippocampal gene expression and DNA methylation of Slc6a4 and Nr3c1. Behav Pharmacol 2025; 36:115-126. [PMID: 39969076 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2025]
Abstract
Maternal separation as an early life stress can lead to long-lasting deleterious effects on cognitive and behavioral functions, and the mood state. On the other hand, Psilocybe cubensis (as one of the most well-known magic mushrooms) may be beneficial in the improvement or the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of P. cubensis extract (PCE) on depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors, and locomotor activity in mice exposed to early maternal separation. Also, we assessed the expression and methylation level of Slc6a4 and Nr3c1 in the hippocampus. Maternal separation was done in postnatal days (PNDs) 2-18. PCE was intraperitoneally injected at the dose of 20 mg/kg at PND 60, and our tests were done at days 1, 3, and 10, of administration. The results showed that maternal separation significantly induced depressive-like behavior in the forced swim test and anxiety-like behavior in the open field test (OFT). Also, maternal separation decreased locomotor activity in the OFT. In addition, maternal separation decreased the expression and increased the methylation level of both Slc6a4 and Nr3c1 in the hippocampus. However, PCE significantly reversed all these effects. In conclusion, it seems that P. cubensis affects serotonergic signaling via altering Slc6a4 expression and methylation level in the hippocampus of mice. The effect of P. cubensis on Nr3c1 expression and methylation level may also lead to alter the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the stress response in mice exposed to maternal separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eghbal Jasemi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran
| | - Ali Razmi
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Shayan Amiri
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - S Mahmoud A Najafi
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lotfi G, Eslami M, Gholami M, Vaseghi S, Yekta BG. Exploring Crocin's Role in Alleviating Memory Impairments and Depression-like Behaviors Induced by REM Sleep Deprivation, Focusing on BDNF and GSK-3β in Male Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2025:10.1007/s12035-025-04753-4. [PMID: 40025325 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-025-04753-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 03/04/2025]
Abstract
Rapid-eye movement sleep deprivation (REM SD) drastically alters behavioral functions and the mood state. Evidence demonstrates that the effects of REM SD on cognition and mood vary significantly based on the duration of deprivation. On the other hand, crocin (as a natural therapeutic compound found in Saffron) may be beneficial for the alleviation of SD effect. The present research aimed to explore the effects of REM SD of varying durations on behavioral functions and the expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) in the prefrontal cortex. REM SD was conducted for 1, 5, or 10 days (6 h per day). Crocin was injected intraperitoneally at the dose of 50 mg/kg. The results showed that REM SD for 5- and 10-days increased locomotor activity and rearing, decreased pain threshold, and impaired passive avoidance memory performance. REM SD for 5- and 10-days increased the expression levels of GSK-3β, while only REM SD for 5 days decreased BDNF levels. Crocin (only in rats exposed to REM SD for 5 days) restored behavioral alterations, while in rats exposed to REM SD for 10 days had no effect. Interestingly, crocin in rats exposed to REM SD for 5- and 10-days attenuated GSK-3β upregulation. In addition, crocin in rats exposed to REM SD for 5 but not 10 days attenuated BDNF down regulation. In conclusion, the duration of REM SD is a crucial determinant of its impact on cognitive and mood functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Golbahar Lotfi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Eslami
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Gholami
- Department of Pharmacy, Alma Master Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Batool Ghorbani Yekta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 1949635881, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zaman Fashami M, Bajelan A, Shakur H, Khakpai F, Rouhollah F, Vaseghi S, Ghorbani Yekta B. The Effect of Zeolite Zinc on Memory Performance and Hippocampal Cell Death in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's-like Disease Induced by Aβ 1-42. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04474-0. [PMID: 39643797 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04474-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 11/28/2024] [Indexed: 12/09/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the slow and progressive loss of brain structure and function, primarily affecting older individuals. Evidence has shown that disruption of zinc homeostasis in the brain contributes to synaptic dysfunction, as well as impairments in learning and memory. In this study, we evaluated the effect of zeolite zinc on memory performance and hippocampal cell death in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) induced by intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ1-42. We employed the Morris water maze, shuttle box, and open field tests to assess spatial memory, passive avoidance memory, and anxiety-like behavior, respectively. P-Tau and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression, along with hippocampal cell death, were also evaluated. Both Aβ1-42 and zeolite zinc were injected intracerebroventricularly. The results showed that zeolite zinc partially reversed Aβ1-42-induced impairments in memory performance and mitigated the effects of Aβ1-42 on locomotor activity, although it did not fully restore baseline levels. In addition, Aβ1-42 increased the expression of APP and P-Tau, as well as the number of dead cells, whereas zeolite zinc reduced these effects. In conclusion, our findings suggest that while zeolite zinc plays a role in modulating the pathophysiology of AD, its therapeutic effects only partially reverse the progression or symptoms of AD, indicating the need for further investigation into optimal dosing or combination therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zaman Fashami
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aida Bajelan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Shakur
- Faculty of Basic Science, Science and Technology Center of Physics, Imam Hossein University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khakpai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rouhollah
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Batool Ghorbani Yekta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, 1949635881, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ghaffarzadegan R, Akhondzadeh S, Nikasa Z, Hajizamani S, Mehrabanifar S, Cheraghi I, Vaseghi S. New Insights into Contradictory Changes in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Rodent Models of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Neurochem Res 2024; 49:3226-3243. [PMID: 39283581 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/25/2024]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that may develop after experiencing traumatic events. Preclinical studies use various methods to induce PTSD-like models such as fear-conditioning, single-prolonged stress (SPS), restraint stress, and social defeat. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a crucial neurotrophin in mood regulation. Evidence shows BDNF changes in different neuropsychiatric disorders particularly PTSD. This review examined BDNF alterations in preclinical rodent models of PTSD where we demonstrated a wide range of paradoxical changes in BDNF. We found that the fear-conditioning model produced the most inconsistent alterations in BDNF, and suggest that conclusions drawn from these changes be approached with caution. We suggest that BDNF maladaptive changes in social defeat and restraint stress models may be related to the duration of stress, while the SPS model appears to have more consistent results. Ultimately, we propose that evaluating BDNF alterations in the process of treating PTSD symptoms may not be a reliable factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Ghaffarzadegan
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran
| | - Shahin Akhondzadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Nikasa
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Shadi Hajizamani
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Iman Cheraghi
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, P.O. Box: 1419815477, Karaj, Iran.
- Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|