scholarly journals Paeoniflorin Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease via JNK/p53 Signaling

Author(s):  
Zhu-qing He ◽  
Peng-fei Huan ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Jian-cheng He

Abstract Paeoniflorin (PF) has numerous benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects. It also exhibits neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) via the ROS-JNK-p53 pathway. However, it is not clear if it has neuroprotective effects against cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Through network pharmacology, we identified probable targets as well as signal pathways through which PF might affect cognitive impairment in PD. Then, we experimentally validated our findings. The core genes of the PPI network include MAPK8 (JNK), TP53, CASP3 (caspase-3), protein-95 (PSD95), and SYN. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that genes involved in apoptosis and MAPK signaling were significantly enriched. Because JNK is a key mediator of p53-induced apoptosis, we wondered if JNK/p53 pathway influences the effects of PF against apoptosis in mouse model of PD. Molecular docking analysis showed that PF had good affinity for JNK/p53. The results of the experiments indicated that PF ameliorated behavioral impairments and upregulated the expression of the dopamine (DA) neurons, suppressed cell apoptosis in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of PD. Additionally, PF improved MPTP-induced neuronal injury by inhibiting apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of the CA1 and CA3, and upregulating postsynaptic density PSD95 as well as synaptophysin (SYN) protein levels. Similar protective effects were observed upon JNK/p53 pathway inhibition using SP600125. Overall, PF improved cognitive impairment in PD by inhibiting JNK/p53 signaling pathway.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Eduardo Mateus Brandão ◽  
Diana Aline Morais Ferreira Nôga ◽  
Aline Lima Dierschnabel ◽  
Clarissa Loureiro das Chagas Campêlo ◽  
Ywlliane da Silva Rodrigues Meurer ◽  
...  

Passiflora cincinnata Masters is a Brazilian native species of passionflower. This genus is known in the American continent folk medicine for its diuretic and analgesic properties. Nevertheless, few studies investigated possible biological effects of P. cincinnata extracts. Further, evidence of antioxidant actions encourages the investigation of possible neuroprotective effects in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigates the effect of the P. cincinnata ethanolic extract (PAS) on mice submitted to a progressive model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) induced by reserpine. Male (6-month-old) mice received reserpine (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.), every other day, for 40 days, with or without a concomitant treatment with daily injections of PAS (25 mg/kg, i.p.). Catalepsy, open field, oral movements, and plus-maze discriminative avoidance evaluations were performed across treatment, and immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase was conducted at the end. The results showed that PAS treatment delayed the onset of motor impairments and prevented the occurrence of increased catalepsy behavior in the premotor phase. However, PAS administration did not modify reserpine-induced cognitive impairments. Moreover, PAS prevented the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) induced by reserpine. Taken together, our results suggested that PAS exerted a neuroprotective effect in a progressive model of PD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenyu Zhang ◽  
Miao Zhao ◽  
Bingwei Wang ◽  
Zhijie Su ◽  
Bingbing Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), accompanied by chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and widespread accumulation of α-synuclein. Celastrol (Cel), a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pentacyclic triterpene, has emerged as a neuroprotective agent. However, the mechanisms by which celastrol is neuroprotective in PD has not yet been elucidated. Methods: The MPTP and AAV-mediated human wild-type α-syn overexpression within SNc induced PD mouse models were employed in this study. By using multiple genetically modified mice (Nrf2-KO, NLRP3-KO and Caspase1-KO), we identified that celastrol effectively inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, mitigated motor deficits and nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration through Nrf2-NLRP3-Caspase1 pathway. Results: Here we show that celastrol protected against the loss of dopaminergic neurons, mitigated the neuroinflammation and motor deficits in both MPTP-induced PD mouse model and AAV-mediated human α-syn overexpression PD model. Whole-genome deep sequencing analysis reveals that Nrf2, NLRP3 and Caspase1 in SNc may be associated with the neuroprotective actions of celastrol in PD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Nrf2-NLRP3-Caspase1 axis may be a key target of celastrol in PD treatment, and highlight the favorable properties linked to neuroprotection of celastrol, making celastrol as a promising disease-modifying agent for PD.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Joanne Toh ◽  
Ling Ling Chua ◽  
Patrick Ho ◽  
Edwin Sandanaraj ◽  
Carol Tang ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative condition. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutations are the most frequent cause of sporadic and autosomal dominant PD. The exact role of LRRK2 protective variants (R1398H, N551K) together with a pathogenic mutant (G2019S) in aging and neurodegeneration is unknown. We generated the following myc-tagged UAS-LRRK2 transgenic Drosophila: LRRK2 (WT), N551K, R1398H, G2019S single allele, and double-mutants (N551K/G2019S or R1398H/G2019S). The protective variants alone were able to suppress the phenotypic effects caused by the pathogenic LRRK2 mutation. Next, we conducted RNA-sequencing using mRNA isolated from dopaminergic neurons of these different groups of transgenic Drosophila. Using pathway enrichment analysis, we identified the top 10 modules (p < 0.05), with “LRRK2 in neurons in Parkinson’s disease” among the candidates. Further dissection of this pathway identified the most significantly modulated gene nodes such as eEF1A2, ACTB, eEF1A, and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. The induction of the pathway was successfully restored by the R1398H protective variant and R1398H-G2019S or N551K-G2019S rescue experiments. The oxidoreductase family of genes was also active in the pathogenic mutant and restored in protective and rescue variants. In summary, we provide in vivo evidence supporting the neuroprotective effects of LRRK2 variants. RNA sequencing of dopaminergic neurons identified upregulation of specific gene pathways in the Drosophila carrying the pathogenic variant, and this was restored in the rescue phenotypes. Using protective gene variants, our study identifies potential new targets and provides proof of principle of a new therapeutic approach that will further our understanding of aging and neurodegeneration in PD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hefeng Zhou ◽  
Min Shao ◽  
Xuanjun Yang ◽  
Chuwen Li ◽  
Guozhen Cui ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and there is no cure for it at present. We have previously reported that the tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) derivative T-006 exhibited beneficial effects in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) models. However, its effect on PD remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of T-006 against 6-hydroxydopamine- (6-OHDA-) induced lesions in in vivo and in vitro PD models. Our results demonstrated that T-006 alleviated mitochondrial membrane potential loss and restored the energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis that were induced by 6-OHDA in PC12 cells. In addition, animal experiments showed that administration of T-006 significantly attenuated the 6-OHDA-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase- (TH-) positive neurons in the SNpc, as well as dopaminergic nerve fibers in the striatum, and also increased the concentration of dopamine and its metabolites (DOPAC, HVA) in the striatum. Functional deficits were restored following T-006 treatment in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice, as demonstrated by improved motor coordination and rotational behavior. In addition, we found that the neuroprotective effects of T-006 were mediated, at least in part, by the activation of both the PKA/Akt/GSK-3β and CREB/PGC-1α/NRF-1/TFAM pathways. In summary, our findings demonstrate that T-006 could be developed as a novel neuroprotective agent for PD, and the two pathways might be promising therapeutic targets for PD.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 4843
Author(s):  
Pawanrat Chalorak ◽  
Tanatcha Sanguanphun ◽  
Tanapol Limboonreung ◽  
Krai Meemon

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and α-synuclein aggregation. Accumulated evidence indicates that the saponins, especially from ginseng, have neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative disorders. Interestingly, saponin can also be found in marine organisms such as the sea cucumber, but little is known about its effect in neurodegenerative disease, including PD. In this study, we investigated the anti-Parkinson effects of frondoside A (FA) from Cucumaria frondosa and ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) from Panax notoginseng in C. elegans PD model. Both saponins were tested for toxicity and optimal concentration by food clearance assay and used to treat 6-OHDA-induced BZ555 and transgenic α-synuclein NL5901 strains in C. elegans. Treatment with FA and Rg3 significantly attenuated DAergic neurodegeneration induced by 6-OHDA in BZ555 strain, improved basal slowing rate, and prolonged lifespan in the 6-OHDA-induced wild-type strain with downregulation of the apoptosis mediators, egl-1 and ced-3, and upregulation of sod-3 and cat-2. Interestingly, only FA reduced α-synuclein aggregation, rescued lifespan in NL5901, and upregulated the protein degradation regulators, including ubh-4, hsf-1, hsp-16.1 and hsp-16.2. This study indicates that both FA and Rg3 possess beneficial effects in rescuing DAergic neurodegeneration in the 6-OHDA-induced C. elegans model through suppressing apoptosis mediators and stimulating antioxidant enzymes. In addition, FA could attenuate α-synuclein aggregation through the protein degradation process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Schepici ◽  
Serena Silvestro ◽  
Placido Bramanti ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurological disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway with consequent loss of neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and dopamine depletion. The cytoplasmic inclusions of α-synuclein (α-Syn), known as Lewy bodies, are the cytologic hallmark of PD. The presence of α-Syn aggregates causes mitochondrial degeneration, responsible for the increase in oxidative stress and consequent neurodegeneration. PD is a progressive disease that shows a complicated pathogenesis. The current therapies are used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease without changing its clinical course. Recently, phytocompounds with neuroprotective effects and antioxidant properties such as caffeine have aroused the interest of researchers. The purpose of this review is to summarize the preclinical studies present in the literature and clinical trials recorded in ClinicalTrial.gov, aimed at illustrating the effects of caffeine used as a nutraceutical compound combined with the current PD therapies. Therefore, the preventive effects of caffeine in the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons encourage the use of this alkaloid as a supplement to reduce the progress of the PD.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ching Lo ◽  
Yu-Tzu Shih ◽  
Yu-Ting Tseng ◽  
Hung-Te Hsu

San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXT), composed ofCoptidis rhizoma, Scutellariae radix, andRhei rhizoma, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for complementary and alternative therapy of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of SHXT in the 1–methyl–4–phenylpyridinium (MPP+)/1–methyl–4–phenyl–1,2,3,6–tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models of Parkinson’s disease. Rat primary mesencephalic neurons and mouse Parkinson disease model were used in this study. Oxidative stress was induced by MPP+in vitroand MPTPin vivo. In MPP+-treated mesencephalic neuron cultures, SHXT significantly increased the numbers of TH-positive neurons. SHXT reduced apoptotic signals (cytochrome and caspase) and apoptotic death. MPP+-inducedgp91phoxactivation and ROS production were attenuated by SHXT. In addition, SHXT increased the levels of GSH and SOD in MPP+-treated neurons. In MPTP animal model, SHXT markedly increased TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and improved motor activity of mice. In conclusion, the present results reveal the evidence that SHXT possesses beneficial protection against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in this model of Parkinson’s disease via its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects. SHXT might be a potentially alternative and complementary medicine for neuroprotection.


Author(s):  
Miao Zhao ◽  
Bingwei Wang ◽  
Chenyu Zhang ◽  
Zhijie Su ◽  
Bingbing Guo ◽  
...  

AbstractThe pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear, and there is no disease-modifying agent for PD. Withaferin A (WA), a naturally occurring compound, has emerged as a neuroprotective agent. However, the mechanisms by which WA is neuroprotective in PD are unknown. Here we show that WA protected against loss of dopaminergic neurons, neuroinflammation, and motor deficits in MPTP-induced PD mouse models. Whole-genome deep sequencing analysis combined with Meta-analysis of human PD studies reveal that DJ1, Nrf2, and STING in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) are linked to anti-PD effect of WA. We found that WA activated DJ1 and Nrf2, and suppressed STING within SNc; and overexpression of STING in SNc dampened the effect of WA. Using genetically modified mice (DJ1-KO, Nrf2-KO, STINGgt/gt and STING-KO) and immunolabeling technique, we identified that WA targeted DJ1-Nrf2-STING pathway in dopaminergic neurons; and we demonstrate that STING might be an important factor in PD pathogenesis. In addition, WA alleviated accumulation of phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-α-syn) and insoluble α-syn within SNc in adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated human α-syn overexpression PD model. Our comparative analysis on whole-genome transcriptome profiles suggests that STING might be a key target of WA and amantadine in PD treatment. This study highlights a multifaceted role for WA in neuroprotection, and suggests that WA can be a potential candidate for treatment of PD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-209
Author(s):  
Syifa Fitriyanda Salsabila ◽  
Widhya Aligita ◽  
Yani Mulyani

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the exist of alpha-synuclein aggregates in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Among the various types of neuroprotective therapy, natural products are potential therapeutic agents for PD. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the neuroprotective effect of herbal plant extracts against Parkinson's Disease (PD). Method: The search strategy was carried out on electronic databases, namely Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed. There are 111 scientific journals that have been filtered into 20 scientific journals which are international journals published in the last 5 years (2015-2020). The keywords used include Parkinson's Disease, Neuroprotective Effects, Neuroprotection, Plant Extracts, Natural Products and Parkinson's Disease Model. Results: Several experimental studies have shown the neuroprotective ability of various plant extracts to protect against neurotoxicity, through several neuroprotective pathways including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and antiapoptotic activity. Conclusion: Herbal plant extracts have been shown to have strong neuroprotective effects, making them as potential drug candidates for prevention or treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD). There are Mucuna pruriens, Centella asiatica, Camellia sinensis, Ginkgo biloba, and Uncaria rhynchophylla. Keywords: Parkinson's Disease (PD), neuroprotective, extract.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Hong He ◽  
Hujie Song ◽  
Junjie Zhao ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
...  

The degenerative loss through apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta plays a primary role in the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our in vitro experiments suggested that salidroside (Sal) could protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine-induced cell apoptosis in part by regulating the PI3K/Akt/GSK3βpathway. The current study aims to increase our understanding of the protective mechanisms of Sal in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropypridine- (MPTP-) induced PD mouse model. We found that pretreatment with Sal could protect against MPTP-induced increase of the time of turning downwards and climbing down to the floor. Sal also prevented MPTP-induced decrease of locomotion frequency and the increase of the immobile time. Sal provided a protection of in MPTP-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in SNpc and the level of DA, DOPAC, and HVA in the striatum. Furthermore, Sal could increase the phosphorylation level of Akt and GSK3β, upregulate the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and inhibit the activation of caspase-3, caspase-6, and caspase-9. These results show that Sal prevents the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the PI3K/Akt/GSK3βpathway signaling pathway may have mediated the protection of Sal against MPTP, suggesting that Sal may be a potential candidate in neuroprotective treatment for PD.


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