The elderberry diet protection against intrahippocampal Aβ-induced memory dysfunction; the abrogated apoptosis and neuroinflammation

Neuroprotective effects of the elderberry diet on the methamphetamine-induced toxicity in rats: a behavioral, electrophysiological, and histopathological study

Methamphetamine (METH) harms nerve and glial cells in both animals and humans, impacting cognitive functions and leading to research on cognitive impairments in exposed animals. Elderberry (EB) contains numerous bioactive compounds and demonstrates various health benefits, which can be valuable for maximizing its use in the food industry. In the present study, we focused on the probable protective effects of EB on the devastating impacts of METH in the hippocampus, one of the critical areas in memory and cognition. Thirty-six rats were classified into three groups, including the control, METH (10 mg/kg ip for four weeks), and METH + EB (10 mg/kg ip METH plus the EB diet for four weeks). They underwent behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological assays. The findings show an improvement in the METH-induced memory decay and anxiety-like behaviors. Further, the EB diet recovered the population spike (PS) amplitude and the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) slope of the evoked potentials of the LTP components in hippocampus neurocircuits. We observed a remarkable drop in the number of hippocampal astrocytes in the METH + EB group compared to the METH group. The Sholl analysis showed an increase in the soma size and total process length in hippocampal astrocytes. Moreover, the EB diet improved neuronal cell arrangement in the hippocampus of rats. Though further research is required to clarify this matter, it seems that EB can have a protective effect on the memory-related variables. However, more research is needed to clarify this.

Genus Sambucus: Exploring Its Potential as a Functional Food Ingredient with Neuroprotective Properties Mediated by Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms

The genus Sambucus, mainly Sambucus nigra, has emerged as a valuable source of bioactive compounds with potential neuroprotective properties. This review explores the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroregenerative effects of Sambucus-derived compounds and their implications for brain health and cognitive function. In vitro studies have demonstrated the ability of Sambucus extracts to mitigate oxidative stress, modulate inflammatory responses, and promote neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. In vivo studies using animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, have shown that Sambucus compounds can improve cognitive function, motor performance, and neuronal survival while attenuating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. The neuroprotective effects of Sambucus are primarily attributed to its rich content of polyphenols, particularly anthocyanins, which exert their benefits through multiple mechanisms, including the modulation of signaling pathways involved in inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the potential of Sambucus as a functional food ingredient is discussed, highlighting its application in various food products and the challenges associated with the stability and bioavailability of its bioactive compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the neuroprotective potential of Sambucus and its derivatives, offering valuable insights for the development of dietary strategies to promote brain health and prevent age-related cognitive decline.

Elderberry diet enhances motor performance and reduces neuroinflammation-induced cell death in cerebellar ataxia rat models

Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a condition in which cerebellar dysfunction results in movement disorders such as dysmetria, synergy and dysdiadochokinesia. This study investigates the therapeutic effects of elderberry (EB) diet on the 3-acetylpyridine-induced (3-AP) CA rat model. First, CA rat models were generated by 3-AP administration followed by elderberry diet treatment containing 2 % EB for 8 consecutive weeks. Motor performance, electromyographic activity and gene expression were then evaluated. The number of Purkinje neurons were evaluated by stereological methods. Immunohistochemistry for the microgliosis, astrogliosis and apoptosis marker caspase-3 was also performed. In addition, the morphology of microglia and astrocytes was assessed using the Sholl analysis method. The results showed that EB diet administration in a 3-AP ataxia model improved motor coordination, locomotor activity and neuro-muscular function, prevented Purkinje neurons degeneration, increased microglia and astrocyte complexity and reduced cell soma size. Moreover, EB diet administration decreased apoptosis in cerebellum of 3-AP ataxic model. In addition, elderberry diet treatment decreased the expression of inflammatory, apoptotic and necroptotic genes and increased the expression of antioxidant-related genes. The results suggest that the EB diet attenuates 3-AP-induced neuroinflammation leading to cell death and improves motor performance. Thus, the EB diet could be used as a therapeutic procedure for CA due to its neuroprotective effects.