Carvacrol and Thymol Attenuate Cytotoxicity Induced by Amyloid β25-35 via Activating Protein Kinase C and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress in PC12 Cells

Characterization of Volatile Compounds and Biological Effects Capacities of Moroccan Thymus capitatus L., Essential Oils: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

The present study investigated the phytochemical composition of Thymus capitatus L. essential oil (TCEO) harvested in Morocco using GC-MS-MS analysis. Both in vitro and in silico approaches were combined to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties of TCEO as well as to identify the main compounds responsible of the promising properties. The TCEO was dominated by oxygenated monoterpene (63.33%) and monoterpene hydrocarbon (23.25%). In total, 20 volatile compounds were identified, and of them, carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, caryophyllene, and linalool are the major compounds. Then, the study of the antioxidant activity revealed that TCEO exhibits a good activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays as the obtained values were 67.34 ± 1.54, 96.88 ± 2.76, and 99.07 ± 1.57 µg/mL, respectively, compared to those of Trolox (35.38 ± 0.91, 60.40 ± 1.55, and 52.13 ± 1.56 µg/mL, respectively). The antibacterial activity revealed that TCEO was the most active toward the two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.125% each compared to Gram-negative ones (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) with MIC of 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively. For the antidiabetic tests, TCEO displayed markedly lower IC50 values, 111.79 ± 2.88 µg/mL for α-amylase and 70.42 ± 1.68 µg/mL for α-glucosidase than those of acarbose (389.04 ± 1.65 and 187.82 ± 2.62 µg/mL, respectively). For anti-elastase activity, TCEO exhibited an IC50 value of 42.58 ± 1.72 µg/mL, indicating moderate inhibitory potency, whereas quercetin demonstrated a significantly stronger effect with an IC50 of 11.81 ± 0.90 µg/mL. In terms of anti-tyrosinase activity, TCEO showed an IC50 of 85.55 ± 2.51 µg/mL, which is notably more effective than quercetin's IC50 of 242.99 ± 2.67 µg/mL. The study of neuroprotection ability revealed that TCEO exerted a good effect as the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was 12.36 ± 0.93 mg GALAE/g, whereas that of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) was 3.59 ± 0.64 mg GALAE/g. On the basis of these findings, it is believed that TCEO can serve as a readily available reservoir of natural antioxidants and antibacterial chemicals. TCEO could also provide considerable benefits for health, including antidiabetic, dermatoprotection, and neuroprotection capacities.

Carvacrol improves cognitive dysfunction by decreasing amyloid-β accumulation and regulating neuroinflammation in ovariectomized renovascular hypertensive rats

Hypertension contributes to both the development and progression of brain damage and cognitive dysfunction in the postmenopausal period in women. Carvacrol (CAR), which can easily cross the blood-brain barrier, exhibits neuroprotective properties due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. In the present study, we have examined the effect of CAR treatment on learning-memory impairment in a post-menopausal hypertensive rat model that was induced by ovariectomy following two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension surgery. From the third week after the establishment of renovascular hypertension in ovariectomized rats, CAR (40 mg/kg) was administered once daily for consecutive 7 weeks by gastric gavage. Systolic blood pressure was estimated by the tail-cuff method once a week. At the end of the study, cognitive functions were evaluated with behavioral tests and also neurochemical changes were measured in serum, cortex, and hippocampus by ELISA test. Blood pressure was decreased with CAR treatment in hypertensive rats. Serum estrogen levels decreased in ovariectomized rats and did not change with CAR treatment. CAR demonstrated beneficial effects on learning and memory tests as determined by increased recognition index, the number of platforms crossed, and time spent in the target quadrant. Due to CAR treatment, there was a marked reduction in the hippocampal and cortex amyloid-β, osteopontin, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity, while an increment in neprilysin and interleukin-10 levels was found. In conclusion, since CAR suppressed amyloid-β deposition and neuroinflammation in ovariectomized-hypertensive rats, it is thought that it may be protective against memory disorders in postmenopausal hypertensive women.

Carvacrol Essential Oil as a Neuroprotective Agent: A Review of the Study Designs and Recent Advances

Neurodegenerative diseases were mostly perceived as diseases of ageing populations, but now-a-days, these diseases pose a threat to populations of all age groups despite significant improvements in quality of life. Almost all essential oils (EOs) have been reported to have some neuroprotective abilities and have been used as supplements for good mental health over the centuries. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of one such monoterpene phenolic EO, carvacrol (CV), that has the potential to be used as a main therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative disorders. Three libraries, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, were explored for research studies related to the neuroprotective roles of CV. All the research articles from these libraries were sorted out, with the first article tracing back to 2009, and the latest article was published in 2024. The positive effects of CV in the treatment of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, multiple sclerosis, ischemia, and behavioural disorders have been supported with evidence. This review not only focused on study designs and the pharmacological pathways taken by CV for neuroprotection but also focused on demographics, illustrating the trend of CV research studies in certain countries and the preferences for the use of in vitro or in vivo models in studies. Our review provides useful evidence about the neuroprotective potential of CV; however, a lack of studies was observed regarding CV encapsulation in proper dosage forms, in particular nanoparticles, which could be further explored for CV delivery to the central nervous system.

Combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus infection using terpene and its derivative

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus represents a major global health issue resulting in a wide range of debilitating infections and fatalities. The slow progression of new antibiotics, limited choices for treatment, and scarcity of new drug approvals create immense obstacles in new drug line development. S. aureus poses a significant public health risk, due to the emergence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant strains (VRSA), necessitating novel antibiotics for effective control management. Current studies are delving into the terpenes' potential as an antimicrobial agent, indicating positive prospects as promising substitutes or complementary to conventional antibiotics. Concurrent reactions of terpenes with conventional antibiotics create synergistic effects that significantly enhance antibiotic efficacy. Accumulated evidence has shown that while efflux pump (e.g., NorA, TetK, and MepA) is revealed as an essential defense of S. aureus against antibiotics, terpene and its derivative act as its potent inhibitor, suggesting the promising potential of terpenes in combating those infectious pathogens. Furthermore, pronounced cell membrane disruptive activity and antibiofilm properties by terpenes have been exerted, signifying their significance as promising prevention against microbial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. This review provides an overview of the potential of terpenes and their derivatives in combating S. aureus infections, highlighting their potential mechanisms of action (MOA), synergistic effects with conventional antibiotics, and challenges in clinical translation. The unique properties of terpenes offer an opportunity for their use in developing an exceptional defense strategy against antibiotic-resistant S. aureus.

m5C RNA methylation: a potential mechanism for infectious Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a variety of factors, including age, genetic susceptibility, cardiovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, and environmental factors. The pathogenesis of AD is largely associated with the overproduction and accumulation of amyloid-β peptides and the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the brain. Recent studies have identified the presence of diverse pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, in the tissues of AD patients, underscoring the critical role of central nervous system infections in inducing pathological changes associated with AD. Nevertheless, it remains unestablished about the specific mechanism by which infections lead to the occurrence of AD. As an important post-transcriptional RNA modification, RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) methylation regulates a wide range of biological processes, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, and translation, therefore affecting cellular function. Moreover, it has been recently demonstrated that multiple pathogenic microbial infections are associated with the m5C methylation of the host. However, the role of m5C methylation in infectious AD is still uncertain. Therefore, this review discusses the mechanisms of pathogen-induced AD and summarizes research on the molecular mechanisms of m5C methylation in infectious AD, thereby providing new insight into exploring the mechanism underlying infectious AD.

Thymol as a Potential Neuroprotective Agent: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Prospects

Neurodegenerative diseases pose a growing global health challenge, with limited effective therapeutic options. Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy are common underlying mechanisms in these diseases. Thymol is a phenolic monoterpene compound that has gained attention for its diverse biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. Thymol supplementation could provide potential neuroprotection and improve cognitive deficits, depressant-like effects, learning, and memory impairments in rodents. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the neuroprotective effects of thymol involve the improvement of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory response. Several signaling pathways, including mitochondrial apoptotic, NF-κB, AKT, Nrf2, and CREB/BDNF pathways are also involved. In this review, the neuroprotective effects of thymol, the potential molecular mechanisms, safety, applications, and current challenges toward development as a neuroprotective agent were summarized and discussed. We hope that this review provides valuable insights for the further development of this promising natural product as a promising neuroprotective agent.

The effects of carvacrol and p-cymene on Aβ1-42 -induced long-term potentiation deficit in male rats

AIMS

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in which oxidative stress plays an important role. In this disease, learning and memory and the cellular mechanism associated with it, long-term potentiation (LTP), are impaired. Considering the beneficial effects of carvacrol (CAR) and p-cymene against AD, their effect was assessed on in vivo hippocampal LTP in the perforant pathway (PP)-dentate gyrus (DG) pathway in an Aβ1-42 -induced rat model of AD.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups: sham: intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of phosphate-buffered saline, Aβ: ICV Aβ1-42 injections, Aβ + CAR (50 mg/kg), Aβ + p-cymene (50 mg/kg), and Aβ + CAR + p-cymene. Administration of CAR and p-cymene was done by gavage daily 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after the Aβ injection. The population spike (PS) amplitude and field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) slope were determined in DG against the applied stimulation to the PP.

RESULTS

Aβ-treated rats exhibited impaired LTP induction in the PP-DG synapses, resulting in significant reduction in both fEPSP slope and PS amplitude compared to the sham animals. Aβ-treated rats consumed either CAR or p-cymene separately (but not their combination), and showed an enhancement in fEPSP slope and PS amplitude of the DG granular cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that CAR or p-cymene can ameliorate Aβ-associated changes in synaptic plasticity. Surprisingly, the combination of CAR and p-cymene did not yield the same effect, suggesting a potential interaction between the two substances.

Effect of thymol on oxidative stress and reelin signaling pathway in Alzheimer's disease model

Background/aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate how thymol affects cognitive functions and the levels of MDA, GSH, Aβ1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 in an AD model induced in male Wistar albino rats with the application of D-galactose (D-gal) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3).

Materials and methods

In this work, 3-month-old male Wistar albino rats were used. Group 1 served as the Control, Group 2 received 0.5 mL/day saline + 0.5 mL/day sunflower oil, Group 3 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal, Group 4 received 30 mg/kg/day thymol, and Group 5 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal + 30 mg/kg/day thymol. At the end of the 10-week experimental period, behavioral and memory tests were performed. GSH and MDA levels were measured in the obtained serum and brain tissue samples, while Aβ1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 levels were measured in brain tissue samples. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA test in Graphpad Prism V8.3 program. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant in intergroup analyses.

Results

When the novel object recognition test (NORT) results were evaluated, the Alzheimer + thymol (ALZ+TYM) group showed a significant increase in the recognition index (RI) and discrimination index (DI) compared to the Alzheimer (ALZ) group at the 24th hour. Thymol reduced working memory errors (WME), reference memory errors (RME), and maze completion time at 48, 72, and 96 hours when evaluated in terms of spatial memory in rats with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, Aβ1-42 and ApoE levels were increased in the ALZ group compared to the control (C), while reelin and LRP8 levels were decreased in the ALZ group compared to the C group.

Conclusion

The data we obtained suggest that thymol may play an effective role in cognitive processes against AD and have an anti-Alzheimer's disease effect.

Trachyspermum ammi Bioactives Promote Neuroprotection by Inhibiting Acetylcholinesterase, Aβ-Oligomerization/Fibrilization, and Mitigating Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a large category of progressive neurological disorders with diverse clinical and pathological characteristics. Among the NDs, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread disease, which affects more than 400 million people globally. Oxidative stress is evident in the pathophysiology of nearly all NDs by affecting several pathways in neurodegeneration. No single drug can manage multi-faceted diseases like NDs. Therefore, an alternative therapeutic strategy is required, which can affect several pathophysiological pathways at a time. To achieve this aim, hexane and ethyl acetate extract from Trachyspermum ammi (Carom) were prepared, and GC/MS identified the bioactive compounds. For the cell-based assays, oxidative stress was induced in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using hydrogen peroxide to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of the Carom extracts/bioactives. The extracts/bioactives provided neuroprotection in the cells by modulating multiple pathways involved in neurodegeneration, such as alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential. They were potent inhibitors of acetylcholine esterase enzymes and displayed competitive/mixed-type inhibition. Additionally, anti-Aβ1-42 fibrilization/oligomerization and anti-glycation activities were also analyzed. The multi-faceted neuroprotection shown via Carom/Carvacrol makes it a prospective contender in drug development for NDs.

Bryostatin-1 attenuates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Bryostatin-1 (Bryo-1) exerts antioxidative stress effects in multiple diseases, and we confirmed that it improves intestinal barrier dysfunction in experimental colitis. Nevertheless, there are few reports on its action on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In this study, we mainly explored the effect of Bryo-1 on intestinal I/R injury and determined the mechanism. C57BL/6J mice underwent temporary superior mesenteric artery (SMA) obturation to induce I/R, on the contrary, Caco-2 cells suffered to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to establish the in vitro model. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS to induce macrophage inflammation. The drug gradient experiment was used to demonstrate in vivo and in vitro models. Bryo-1 ameliorated the intestinal I/R-induced injury of multiple organs and epithelial cells. It also alleviated intestinal I/R-induced barrier disruption of intestines according to the histology, intestinal permeability, intestinal bacterial translocation rates, and tight junction protein expression results. Bryo-1 significantly inhibited oxidative stress damages and inflammation, which may contribute to the restoration of intestinal barrier function. Further, Bryo-1 significantly activated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in vivo. However, the deletion of Nrf2 in Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells attenuated the protective functions of Bryo-1 and significantly abolished the anti-inflammatory effect of Bryo-1 on LPS-induced macrophage inflammation. Bryo-1 protects intestines against I/R-induced injury. It is associated with intestinal barrier protection, as well as inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress partly through Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.

Neuroprotective Potential and Underlying Pharmacological Mechanism of Carvacrol for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases

The phytochemicals have antioxidant properties to counter the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in the central nervous system and can be a promising drug candidate for neurodegenerative diseases. Among various phytochemicals, constituents of spice origin have recently received special attention for neurodegenerative diseases owing to their health benefits, therapeutic potential, edible nature, and dietary accessibility and availability. Carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpenoid, has garnered attention in treating and managing various human diseases. It possesses diverse pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer. Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are major public health concerns that place a significant financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The global burden of these diseases is expected to increase in the next few decades owing to increasing life expectancies. Currently, there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD and PD, and the available drugs only give symptomatic relief. For a long time, oxidative stress has been recognized as a primary contributor to neurodegeneration. Carvacrol enhances memory and cognition by modulating the effects of oxidative stress, inflammation, and Aβ25-35- induced neurotoxicity in AD. Moreover, it also reduces the production of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokine levels in PD, which further prevents the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and improves motor functions. This review highlights carvacrol's potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in managing and treating AD and PD.

Therapeutic effects of carvacrol on beta-amyloid-induced impairments in in vitro and in vivo models of Alzheimer's disease

Due to the complex nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), it is important to investigate agents with multiple effects in the treatment of AD. Carvacrol possesses anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective properties. We therefore investigated therapeutic effects of carvacrol on cell viability, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment in Aβ1-42-induced in vitro and in vivo models of AD. SH-SY5Y cells differentiated into neurons by retinoic acid were pretreated with carvacrol or galantamine before Aβ1-42 administration. For in vivo experiments, a rat model of AD was established by bilateral intrahippocampal injection of Aβ1-42. The groups received 1% DMSO, carvacrol, or galantamine intraperitoneally twice a day (morning and afternoon) for 6 days. Cell viability was determined using MTT and LDH tests. Learning and memory functions were assessed using a passive-avoidance test. Oxidant-antioxidant parameters (MDA, H₂ O₂ , SOD, and CAT) and Tau, Aβ1-40, and Aβ1-42 peptide levels in in vitro supernatant or in vivo serum and hippocampal samples were measured using ELISA. Carvacrol increased cell viability and exhibited a protective effect against oxidative stress by preventing Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity, LDH release, and increments in MDA and H₂ O₂ levels in vitro. Additionally, it improved memory impairment by reversing Aβ1-42-induced changes on passive-avoidance test. Carvacrol ameliorated Aβ1-42-induced increments in MDA and H₂ O₂ levels in in vitro supernatant and in vivo hippocampal samples. However, none of the treatments changed in vitro SOD and Tau-peptide levels, or in vivo serum levels of MDA, H₂ O₂ , SOD, CAT, Tau peptide, Aβ1-40, or Aβ1-42. Our results suggest that multi-target pharmacological agent carvacrol may be promising in treatment of AD by preventing beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and memory deficits.

Neuroprotective effects of carvacrol against Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases: A review

Objective

Neurodegenerative diseases are considered an important cause of cognitive deficit and morbidity in old ages. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of these disorders affecting about 40 million people in the world at the present time. Available drug therapy is mostly symptomatic and does not modify or stop disease progression. Recently, biologically active chemicals from herbs have been studied to develop new therapeutic drugs. Carvacrol has shown positive properties on many neurological diseases. This compound is expected to have the ability to affect AD pathogenesis and therefore, it is considered an anti-AD agent.

Materials and Methods

This review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct bibliographic databases until November 2021. For data collection, the following keywords were used: carvacrol, neuroprotective, cognition, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Acetylcolinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, stroke, ischemic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Results

This review summarizes in vitro and in vivo studies on protective potential of carvacrol in neurodegenerative disorders and various underlying mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase effects.

Conclusion

We gave an overview of available literature concerning neuroprotective effects of carvacrol in ameliorating the neurodegenerative diseases symptoms in vivo and in vitro. Particular attention is given to AD. Several neuro-pharmacological actions of carvacrol have been summarized in the current review article including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and AChEI properties.

Protein Kinase C Involvement in Neuroprotective Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol Against Toxicity Induced by Amyloid-β in Rat Hippocampal Neurons

INTRODUCTION

We have reported that thymol and carvacrol can improve cognitive abilities in Alzheimer Disease (AD) rat models. However, the mechanism of their action is not yet fully understood. Recently, our in vitro results suggested that PC12 cell death induced by Aβ25-35 can be protected by thymol and carvacrol via Protein Kinase C (PKC) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) pathways. So, we hypothesize that the mechanisms of thymol and carvacrol in improving the learning impairment in the AD rat model may be related to their effects on PKC. So, the activity of PKC and protein expression levels of PKCα were examined in the hippocampal cells of the AD rat model.

METHODS

To examine the thymol and carvacrol effects, we performed a behavioral test in AD rat models induced by Aβ_25-35 neurotoxicity. To access the underlying mechanism of the protective effects, western blotting was performed with antibodies against PKCα. We also measured the PKC activity assay by Elisa. Histopathological studies were carried out in the hippocampus with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining.

RESULTS

The escape latency increased in Aβ-received rats compared to the control group, and thymol and carvacrol reversed this deficit. Furthermore, these compounds could enhance the PKC activity and increase the PKCα expression ratio. Moreover, H&E staining showed that Aβ caused shrinkage of the CA1 pyramidal neurons. However, thymol and carvacrol treatments could prevent this effect of Aβ peptides.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) results in memory decline and histochemical disturbances in the hippocampus. Moreover, these results revealed that thymol and carvacrol could have protective effects on cognition in AD-like models via PKC activation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Rat's ability to find the invisible platform in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) was impaired by Amyloid-Beta (Aβ) infusion in the hippocampus, while this effect was reversed by thymol or carvacrol administration.Aβ significantly downregulated the Protein Kinase C (PKC) activity in rats' hippocampus.Western blot analysis demonstrated that Aβ significantly reduced PKCα protein expression in AD rat model hippocampal cells.The expression ratio of PKCα was upregulated following the injection of thymol and carvacrol in rats.Injection of Aβ in the hippocampus resulted in histochemical disturbances in CA1 pyramidal neurons.Carvacrol and thymol can prevent several histological changes induced by Aβ.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most important brain diseases in which the learning and memory are impaired. One of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of amyloid beta plaques in the neurons. Protein kinase C enzyme reduces amyloid production and accumulation in the brain. In the present study, we tested the possible effects of carvacrol and thymol in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Memory impairment was induced in adult rats by intra-cerebral infusion of amyloid β. One week later, the memory-impaired animals were treated with carvacrol and thymol. Finally, we tested their memory in a Morris water maze apparatus. Furthermore, their hippocampus was dissected and PKC activity and the neuronal injury was evaluated. Our findings exhibited that thymol and carvacrol improved rats' memory performance. In addition, thymol and carvacrol significantly increased PKC activity and prevented neuronal cell loss in the rat hippocampus. This study shows that thymol and carvacrol have beneficial effects on memory and cognitive function via PKC activation.

Aconiti lateralis Radix Praeparata inhibits Alzheimer's disease by regulating the complex regulation network with the core of GRIN1 and MAPK1

CONTEXT

Current medicine for Alzheimer's disease (AD) cannot effectively reverse or block nerve injury. Traditional Chinese Medicine practice and research imply Aconiti lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi) may meet this goal.

OBJECTIVE

Analysing the anti-AD effect of Fuzi and its potential molecular mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AD model cells were treated with Fuzi in 0-300 mg/mL for 24 h in 37 °C. The cell viability (CV) and length of cell projections (LCP) for each group were observed, analysed, and standardised using control as a baseline (CV_s and LCP_s). The Fuzi and AD relevant genes were identified basing on databases, and the molecular mechanism of Fuzi anti-AD was predicted by network analysis.

RESULTS

Experiment results showed that Fuzi in 0.4 mg/mL boosted LCP (LCP_s = 1.2533, p ≤ 0.05), and in 1.6-100 mg/mL increased CV (CV_s from 1.1673 to 1.3321, p ≤ 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis found 17 Fuzi target genes (relevant scores ≥ 20), showing strong AD relevant signals (RMS_p ≤ 0.05, related scores ≥ 5), enriched in the pathways regulating axon growth, synaptic plasticity, cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, and death (p ≤ 0.05). Especially, GRIN1 and MAPK1 interacted with APP protein and located in the key point of the "Alzheimer's disease" pathway.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Fuzi may have therapeutic and prevention potential in AD, and GRIN1 and MAPK1 may be the core of the pathways of the Fuzi anti-AD process. Fuzi should be studied more extensively, especially for the prevention of AD.

Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil Protects Zebrafish against Cognitive Dysfunction by Regulating Cholinergic and Antioxidants Systems

Thymus vulgaris L. is an aromatic herb used for medicinal purposes such as antimicrobial, spasmolytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antitumor, and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The present study aimed to investigate whether Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil enhances cognitive function via the action on cholinergic neurons using scopolamine (Sco)-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of memory impairments. Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO, 25, 150, and 300 µL/L) was administered by immersion to zebrafish once daily for 13 days, whereas memory impairment was induced by Sco (100 μM), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, delivered 30 min before behavioral tests. Spatial memory was assessed using the Y-maze test and novel object recognition test (NOR). Anxiety and depression were measured in the novel tank diving test (NTT). Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used to study the phytochemical composition of TEO. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress response in the brain of zebrafish were determined. TEO ameliorated Sco-induced increasing of AChE activity, amnesia, anxiety, and reduced the brain antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that TEO may have preventive and/or therapeutic potentials in the management of memory deficits and brain oxidative stress in zebrafish with amnesia.