Background:
Therapeutic approaches targeting amyloid β42 (Aβ42) oligomers may represent a
promising neuroprotective strategy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Objective:
In this study we evaluated the ability of bromelain, a plant cysteine protease derived from
pineapple stems, to interact with synthetic Aβ42 monomers and oligomers. We also examined the ability
of bromelain to interfere in vitro with synthetic Aβ42 aggregates in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Alzheimer's
disease as well as of control patients affected by other neurological diseases.
Method:
Both synthetic monomers and aggregates of Aβ42 were incubated in CSF with varying concentrations
of bromelain. The effects of digestion were evaluated by Western Blot analysis using the specific
monoclonal antibody 4G8 to identify the patterns of residual content of Aβ42. We further used rat
primary cortical culture neurons (CN) to examine the cytotoxic action of this natural compound.
Results:
We found that bromelain successfully degraded Aβ42 monomers and low and high molecular
weight oligomers. Indeed, when bromelain preparations of 3 and 6 mU were added to the CSF, the residual
amount of Aβ42 monomers and oligomers were significantly reduced when compared to the same
standard Aβ42 preparations incubated in CSF without bromelain. Moreover, bromelain incubations of
0.1, 0.5, and 1 mU/ml were not toxic to CN, as compared to vehicle treated cells.
Conclusion:
Overall, these results represent an important insight into the action of bromelain on Aβ42
oligomers, suggesting its potential use in the therapy of AD.
Cymene consumption and physical activity effect in Alzheimer’s disease model: an in vivo and in vitro study
