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Rastinpour Z, Fakhri S, Abbaszadeh F, Ranjbari M, Kiani A, Namiq Amin M, Echeverría J. Neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin in a scopolamine-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease through antioxidant/anti-inflammatory pathways and opioid/benzodiazepine receptors: attenuation of Nrf2, NF-κB, and interconnected pathways. Front Pharmacol 2025; 16:1589751. [PMID: 40444055 PMCID: PMC12119477 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1589751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2025] [Accepted: 04/28/2025] [Indexed: 06/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Given the complexity of pathological mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is a pressing need for novel multi-targeting therapeutic agents. Astaxanthin, a natural compound with diverse biological effects, has emerged as a potential candidate in neuronal diseases. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin in a scopolamine-induced rat model of AD. Materials and methods In total, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into six groups, including a control group receiving normal saline, a negative control group treated with scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and two groups receiving astaxanthin at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. Additionally, two groups were pre-treated with naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) or flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg) to block opioid and benzodiazepine receptors, respectively, followed by receiving the most effective dose of astaxanthin (i.e., 10 mg/kg). Treatments were administered via intraperitoneal injection for 14 consecutive days and behavioral tests were done. Biochemical analyses, zymography, Western blotting, and histopathological examinations were also performed. Results and discussion Astaxanthin treatment significantly improved cognitive function, enhanced plasma antioxidant capacity by increasing catalase and glutathione levels, and reduced nitrite levels. It also increased serum activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), while decreasing MMP-9, increasing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and decreasing nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in hippocampal tissue. Histopathological findings indicated reduced hippocampal damage after astaxanthin administration. The aforementioned protective effects of astaxanthin were reversed by naloxone and flumazenil. Conclusion Astaxanthin demonstrates protective effects against scopolamine-induced AD through its neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially involving interactions with opioid and benzodiazepine receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Rastinpour
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Abbaszadeh
- Neurobiology Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Cognition, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ranjbari
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Amir Kiani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mohammed Namiq Amin
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Javier Echeverría
- Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Satoh R, Kawakami K, Nakadate K. Effects of Smart Drugs on Cholinergic System and Non-Neuronal Acetylcholine in the Mouse Hippocampus: Histopathological Approach. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123310. [PMID: 35743382 PMCID: PMC9224974 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, people in the United States and other countries have been using smart drugs, called nootropic or cognitive enhancers, to improve concentration and memory learning skills. However, these drugs were originally prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and dementia, and their efficacy in healthy people has not yet been established. We focused on acetylcholine in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory learning, and elucidate the long-term effects of smart drugs on the neural circuits. Smart drugs were administered orally in normal young mice for seven weeks. The hippocampus was sectioned and compared histologically by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry for acetylcholine, and immunoelectron microscopy. There were no significant changes in acetylcholinesterase staining. However, in HE, we found perivascular edema, and choline acetyltransferase staining showed increased staining throughout the hippocampus and new signal induction in the perivascular area in the CA3, especially in the aniracetam and α-glyceryl phosphoryl choline group. Additionally, new muscarinic acetylcholine receptor signals were observed in the CA1 due to smart drug intake, suggesting that vasodilation might cause neuronal activation by increasing the influx of nutrients and oxygen. Moreover, these results suggest a possible new mechanism of acetylcholine-mediated neural circuit activation by smart drug intake.
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Ning F, Chen L, Chen L, Liu X, Zhu Y, Hu J, Xie G, Xia J, Shi K, Lan Z, Wang P. Combination of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma Alleviates Learning and Memory Impairment in Scopolamine-Treated Mice by Regulating Synaptic-Related Proteins. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:679573. [PMID: 34393775 PMCID: PMC8360279 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.679573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Polygoni Multiflori Radix Praeparata (ZhiHeShouWu, PMRP) and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ShiChangPu, ATR) and their traditional combination (PA) are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat Alzheimer disease (AD) based on the theory that PMRP tonifies the kidney and ATR dissipates phlegm. However, the components of PA and their mechanisms of action are not known. The present study analyzed the active components of PA, and investigated the protective effect of PA against cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine in mice along with the underlying mechanism.The aqueous extract of PA was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and gas chromatography (GC)-MS in order to identify the major components. To evaluate the protective effect of PA against cognitive dysfunction, mice were orally administered PA, PMRP, or ATR for 30 days before treatment with scopolamine. Learning and memory were assessed in mice with the Morris water maze test; neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus were analyzed by HPLC-MS; and the expression of synapse-related proteins in the hippocampus was detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Eight active compounds in PA and rat plasma were identified by HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Plasma concentrations of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside, emodin, α-asarone, and asarylaldehyde were increased following PA administration; meanwhile, gallic acid, emodin-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, β-asarone, and cis-methyl isoeugenol concentrations were similar in rats treated with PA, PMRP, and ATR. In scopolamine-treated mice, PA increased the concentrations of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, activated the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway, and increased the expression of p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK) and postsynaptic density (PSD)95 proteins. Thus, PA alleviates cognitive deficits by enhancing synaptic-related proteins, suggesting that it has therapeutic potential for the treatment of aging-related diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funan Ning
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Lvyi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayi Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Guangjing Xie
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxuan Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhou Lan
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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4
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Mazzoli A, Spagnuolo MS, Nazzaro M, Gatto C, Iossa S, Cigliano L. Fructose Removal from the Diet Reverses Inflammation, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Oxidative Stress in Hippocampus. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:487. [PMID: 33804637 PMCID: PMC8003595 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10030487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Young age is often characterized by high consumption of processed foods and fruit juices rich in fructose, which, besides inducing a tendency to become overweight, can promote alterations in brain function. The aim of this study was therefore to (a) clarify brain effects resulting from fructose consumption in juvenile age, a critical phase for brain development, and (b) verify whether these alterations can be rescued after removing fructose from the diet. Young rats were fed a fructose-rich or control diet for 3 weeks. Fructose-fed rats were then fed a control diet for a further 3 weeks. We evaluated mitochondrial bioenergetics by high-resolution respirometry in the hippocampus, a brain area that is critically involved in learning and memory. Glucose transporter-5, fructose and uric acid levels, oxidative status, and inflammatory and synaptic markers were investigated by Western blotting and spectrophotometric or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A short-term fructose-rich diet induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, associated with an increased concentration of inflammatory markers and decreased Neurofilament-M and post-synaptic density protein 95. These alterations, except for increases in haptoglobin and nitrotyrosine, were recovered by returning to a control diet. Overall, our results point to the dangerous effects of excessive consumption of fructose in young age but also highlight the effect of partial recovery by switching back to a control diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Mazzoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (C.G.); (S.I.)
| | - Maria Stefania Spagnuolo
- Department of Bio-Agrofood Science, Institute for the Animal Production System, National Research Council, 80147 Naples, Italy;
| | - Martina Nazzaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (C.G.); (S.I.)
| | - Cristina Gatto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (C.G.); (S.I.)
| | - Susanna Iossa
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (C.G.); (S.I.)
| | - Luisa Cigliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (M.N.); (C.G.); (S.I.)
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5
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Yoo YH, Kim DW, Chen BH, Sim H, Kim B, Lee JC, Ahn JH, Park Y, Cho JH, Kang IJ, Won MH, Lee TK. Comparison of age-dependent alterations in thioredoxin 2 and thioredoxin reductase 2 expressions in hippocampi between mice and rats. Lab Anim Res 2021; 37:11. [PMID: 33676586 PMCID: PMC7937215 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-021-00088-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aging is one of major causes triggering neurophysiological changes in many brain substructures, including the hippocampus, which has a major role in learning and memory. Thioredoxin (Trx) is a class of small redox proteins. Among the Trx family, Trx2 plays an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and is controlled by TrxR2. Hitherto, age-dependent alterations in Trx2 and TrxR2 in aged hippocampi have been poorly investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine changes in Trx2 and TrxR2 in mouse and rat hippocampi by age and to compare their differences between mice and rats. Results Trx2 and TrxR2 levels using Western blots in mice were the highest at young age and gradually reduced with time, showing that no significant differences in the levels were found between the two subfields. In rats, however, their expression levels were the lowest at young age and gradually increased with time. Nevertheless, there were no differences in cellular distribution and morphology in their hippocampi when it was observed by cresyl violet staining. In addition, both Trx2 and TrxR2 immunoreactivities in the CA1-3 fields were mainly shown in pyramidal cells (principal cells), showing that their immunoreactivities were altered like changes in their protein levels. Conclusions Our current findings suggest that Trx2 and TrxR2 expressions in the brain may be different according to brain regions, age and species. Therefore, further studies are needed to examine the reasons of the differences of Trx2 and TrxR2 expressions in the hippocampus between mice and rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ho Yoo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University, 24289, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Won Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Institute of Oral Sciences, College of Dentistry, Gangnung-Wonju National University, 25457, Gangneung, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bai Hui Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Neuroscience, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Hyejin Sim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, 24341, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bora Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, 24341, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Chul Lee
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, 24341, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyeon Ahn
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, 24341, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea.,Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Youngsan University, 50510, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonsoo Park
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University, 24289, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hwi Cho
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University, 24289, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Jun Kang
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Hallym University, 24252, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Ho Won
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, 24341, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae-Kyeong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hallym University, 24252, Chuncheon, Gangwon, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Zhang XM, Ouyang YJ, Yu BQ, Li W, Yu MY, Li JY, Jiao ZM, Yang D, Li N, Shi Y, Xu YY, He ZJ, Wang D, Yue H, Fu J. Therapeutic potential of dental pulp stem cell transplantation in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:893-898. [PMID: 33229725 PMCID: PMC8178760 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.297088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dental pulp stem cells are dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells that originate from the neural crest. They exhibit greater potential for the treatment of nervous system diseases than other types of stem cells because of their neurogenic differentiation capability and their ability to secrete multiple neurotrophic factors. Few studies have reported Alzheimer’s disease treatment using dental pulp stem cells. Rat models of Alzheimer’s disease were established by injecting amyloid-β1–42 into the hippocampus. Fourteen days later, 5 × 106 dental pulp stem cells were injected into the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays showed that dental pulp stem cell transplantation increased the expression of neuron-related doublecortin, NeuN, and neurofilament 200 in the hippocampus, while the expression of amyloid-β was decreased. Moreover, cognitive and behavioral abilities were improved. These findings indicate that dental pulp stem cell transplantation in rats can improve cognitive function by regulating the secretion of neuron-related proteins, which indicates a potential therapeutic effect for Alzheimer’s disease. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Harbin Medical University, China (approval No. KY2017-132) on February 21, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Mei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yuan-Jiao Ouyang
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Bing-Qian Yu
- Department of Neurology, Ningbo Hangzhou Bay Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Mei-Yu Yu
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jin-Yue Li
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zhuo-Min Jiao
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yun-Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zhi-Jun He
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Duo Wang
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Hui Yue
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jin Fu
- Department of Neurology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Maurya VK, Kumar S, Kabir R, Shrivastava G, Shanker K, Nayak D, Khurana A, Manchanda RK, Gadugu S, Kar SK, Verma AK, Saxena SK. Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Belladonna. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3937-3954. [PMID: 32662978 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Belladonna has diverse pharmacotherapeutic properties with a shadowy history of beauty, life, and death. Alkaloids present in belladonna have anti-inflammatory, anticholinergic, antispasmodic, mydriatic, analgesic, anticonvulsant, and antimicrobial activities, which makes it widely applicable for the treatment of various diseases. However, because of its associated toxicity, the medicinal use of belladonna is debatable. Therefore, an evidence-based systematic review was planned to elucidate the pharmacotherapeutic potential of belladonna. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cochrane database, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov using the keywords "belladonna", "belladonna and clinical trials", and "safety and efficacy of belladonna". Articles published from 1965 to 2020 showing the efficacy of belladonna in diverse clinical conditions are included. The quality of evidence was generated using the GRADE approach, and 20 studies involving 2302 patients were included for the systematic review. Our analyses suggest that belladonna treatment appears to be safe and effective in various disease conditions, including acute encephalitis syndrome, urethral stent pain, myocardial ischemia injury, airway obstructions during sleep in infants, climacteric complaints, irritable bowel syndrome, and throbbing headache. However, better understanding of the dosage and the toxicity of tropane alkaloids of belladonna could make it an efficient remedy for treating diverse medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal K Maurya
- Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Swatantra Kumar
- Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Russell Kabir
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine, and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav Shrivastava
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, United States
| | - Karuna Shanker
- CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Debadatta Nayak
- CCRH, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi 110058, India
| | - Anil Khurana
- CCRH, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi 110058, India
| | - Raj K Manchanda
- CCRH, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi 110058, India
| | - Srinivasulu Gadugu
- Department of Medicine, JSPS Government Medical College, Hyderabad 500013, India
| | - Sujita K Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Anoop K Verma
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
| | - Shailendra K Saxena
- Centre for Advanced Research, Faculty of Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, India
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Liao J, Nai Y, Feng L, Chen Y, Li M, Xu H. Walnut Oil Prevents Scopolamine-Induced Memory Dysfunction in a Mouse Model. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25071630. [PMID: 32252285 PMCID: PMC7180932 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25071630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For thousands of years, it has been widely believed that walnut is a kind of nut that has benefits for the human body. Walnut oil, accounting for about 70% of walnut, mainly consists of polyunsaturated fatty acids. To investigate the effect of walnut oil on memory impairment in mice, scopolamine (3 mg/kg body weight/d) was used to establish the animal model during Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests. Walnut oil was administrated orally at 10 mL/kg body weight/d for 8 consecutive weeks. The results showed that walnut oil treatment ameliorated the behavior of the memory-impaired mice in the MWM test. Additionally, walnut oil obviously inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity (1.26 ± 0.12 U/mg prot) (p = 0.013) and increased choline acetyltransferase activity (129.75 ± 6.76 U/mg tissue wet weight) in the brains of scopolamine-treated mice (p = 0.024), suggesting that walnut oil could prevent cholinergic function damage in mice brains. Furthermore, walnut oil remarkably prevented the decrease in total superoxide dismutase activity (93.30 ± 5.50 U/mg prot) (p = 0.006) and glutathione content (110.45 ± 17.70 mg/g prot) (p = 0.047) and the increase of malondialdehyde content (13.79 ± 0.96 nmol/mg prot) (p = 0.001) in the brain of scopolamine-treated mice, indicating that walnut oil could inhibit oxidative stress in the brain of mice. Furthermore, walnut oil prevented histological changes of neurons in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions induced by scopolamine. These findings indicate that walnut oil could prevent memory impairment in mice, which might be a potential way for the prevention of memory dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mei Li
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (H.X.); Tel./Fax: +86-029-8709-2486 (M.L. & H.X.)
| | - Huaide Xu
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (H.X.); Tel./Fax: +86-029-8709-2486 (M.L. & H.X.)
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Volgin AD, Yakovlev OA, Demin KA, Alekseeva PA, Kyzar EJ, Collins C, Nichols DE, Kalueff AV. Understanding Central Nervous System Effects of Deliriant Hallucinogenic Drugs through Experimental Animal Models. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:143-154. [PMID: 30252437 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs potently alter human behavior and have a millennia-long history of use for medicinal and religious purposes. Interest is rapidly growing in their potential as CNS modulators and therapeutic agents for brain conditions. Antimuscarinic cholinergic drugs, such as atropine and scopolamine, induce characteristic hyperactivity and dream-like hallucinations and form a separate group of hallucinogens known as "deliriants". Although atropine and scopolamine are relatively well-studied drugs in cholinergic physiology, deliriants represent the least-studied class of hallucinogens in terms of their behavioral and neurological phenotypes. As such, novel approaches and new model organisms are needed to investigate the CNS effects of these compounds. Here, we comprehensively evaluate the preclinical effects of deliriant hallucinogens in various animal models, their mechanisms of action, and potential interplay with other signaling pathways. We also parallel experimental and clinical findings on deliriant agents and outline future directions of translational research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey D. Volgin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg 194044, Russia
| | - Oleg A. Yakovlev
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg 194044, Russia
| | | | | | - Evan J. Kyzar
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), New Orleans, Louisiana 70458, United States
| | - Christopher Collins
- The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), New Orleans, Louisiana 70458, United States
| | - David E. Nichols
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Allan V. Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk 630117, Russiai
- Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg 620075, Russia
- ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, Louisiana 70458, United States
- Laboratory of Biological Psychiatry, Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
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de Abreu MS, Friend AJ, Amstislavskaya TG, Kalueff AV. Commentary: Establishing zebrafish as a model to study the anxiolytic effects of scopolamine. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:293. [PMID: 29667652 PMCID: PMC5891632 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.,Neuroscience Program, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ashton J Friend
- Neuroscience Program, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.,The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium, Slidell, LA, United States
| | | | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Center, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.,Russian National Granov's Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies, Pesochny, Russia.,Laboratory of Translational Biopsychiatry, Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia.,ZENEREI Research Center, Slidell, LA, United States
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