Exogenous Carbon Monoxide Produces Rapid Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Effects

Carbon monoxide (CO), a byproduct of heme catalyzed by heme oxygenase (HO), has been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, and to produce significant neuroprotective effects. The potential effects of CO and even HO on depressive-like behaviors are still poorly understood. Utilizing several approaches including adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of HO-1, systemic CO-releasing molecules (CO-RMs), CO-rich saline or CO gas treatment procedures in combination with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced PC12 cell injury model, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression mouse model, the present study aimed to investigate the potential antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects of endogenous and exogenous CO administration in vivo and in vitro. The results of in vitro experiments showed that both CO-RM-3 and CO-RM-A1 pretreatment blocked H2O2-induced cellular injuries by increasing cell survival and decreasing cell apoptosis and necrosis. Similar to the effects of CO-RM-3 and CO-RM-A1 pretreatment, AAV-mediated HO-1 overexpression in the dorsal hippocampus produced significant antidepressant-like activities in mice under normal conditions. Further investigation showed that the CO gas treatment significantly blocked LPS-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that the activation of HO-1 and/or exogenous CO administration produces protective effects and exerts antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects. These data uncover a novel function of the HO-1/CO system that appears to be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

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Humanin is an endogenous activator of chaperone-mediated autophagy

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.201606095 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 217 (2) ◽

pp. 635-647 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Zhenwei Gong ◽

Inmaculada Tasset ◽

Antonio Diaz ◽

Jaime Anguiano ◽

Emir Tas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Cell Death ◽

Heat Shock Protein 90 ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Selective Degradation ◽

Cytosolic Side ◽

Chaperone Mediated Autophagy

Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) serves as quality control during stress conditions through selective degradation of cytosolic proteins in lysosomes. Humanin (HN) is a mitochondria-associated peptide that offers cytoprotective, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that HN directly activates CMA by increasing substrate binding and translocation into lysosomes. The potent HN analogue HNG protects from stressor-induced cell death in fibroblasts, cardiomyoblasts, neuronal cells, and primary cardiomyocytes. The protective effects are lost in CMA-deficient cells, suggesting that they are mediated through the activation of CMA. We identified that a fraction of endogenous HN is present at the cytosolic side of the lysosomal membrane, where it interacts with heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and stabilizes binding of this chaperone to CMA substrates as they bind to the membrane. Inhibition of HSP90 blocks the effect of HNG on substrate translocation and abolishes the cytoprotective effects. Our study provides a novel mechanism by which HN exerts its cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects.

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Carbon Monoxide Inhibits Tenascin-C Mediated Inflammation via IL-10 Expression in a Septic Mouse Model

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2015/613249 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Md. Jamal Uddin ◽

Chun-shi Li ◽

Yeonsoo Joe ◽

Yingqing Chen ◽

Qinggao Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Septic Mouse ◽

Induced Expression ◽

Tenascin C ◽

Co Gas

Tenascin-C (TN-C), an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein, is specifically induced upon tissue injury and infection and during septic conditions. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is known to exert various anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of CO on TN-C-mediated inflammation are unknown. In the present study, we found that treatment with LPS significantly enhanced TN-C expression in macrophages. CO gas, or treatment with the CO-donor compound, CORM-2, dramatically reduced LPS-induced expression of TN-C and proinflammatory cytokines while significantly increased the expression of IL-10. Treatment with TN-C siRNA significantly suppressed the effects of LPS on proinflammatory cytokines production. TN-C siRNA did not affect the CORM-2-dependent increase of IL-10 expression. In cells transfected with IL-10 siRNA, CORM-2 had no effect on the LPS-induced expression of TN-C and its downstream cytokines. These data suggest that IL-10 mediates the inhibitory effect of CO on TN-C and the downstream production of proinflammatory cytokines. Additionally, administration of CORM-2 dramatically reduced LPS-induced TN-C and proinflammatory cytokines production while expression of IL-10 was significantly increased. In conclusion, CO regulated IL-10 expression and thus inhibited TN-C-mediated inflammationin vitroandin vivo.

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Sodium Butyrate Protects N2a Cells against Aβ Toxicity In Vitro

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2020/7605160 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Jingxuan Sun ◽

Boyu Yuan ◽

Yancheng Wu ◽

Yuhong Gong ◽

Wenjin Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sodium Butyrate ◽

Cell Injury ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Fatty Acid Salt ◽

Cognitive Improvement ◽

N2a Cells ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Aβ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid salt that exerts neuroprotective effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and cognitive improvement in central nervous system diseases. The aim of this study is to research the protective effects of NaB on neurons against Aβ toxicity and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that 2 mM NaB had a significant improvement effect on Aβ-induced N2a cell injury, by increasing cell viability and reducing ROS to reduce injury. In addition, by acting on the GPR109A receptor, NaB regulates the expression of AD-related genes such as APP, NEP, and BDNF. Therefore, NaB protects N2a cells from Aβ-induced cell damage through activating GPR109A, which provides an innovative idea for the treatment of AD.

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Apelin-13 Protects Dopaminergic Neurons against Rotenone—Induced Neurotoxicity through the AMPK/mTOR/ULK-1 Mediated Autophagy Activation

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21218376 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 8376

Author(s):

Peng Chen ◽

Youcui Wang ◽

Leilei Chen ◽

Ning Song ◽

Junxia Xie

Keyword(s):

Dopaminergic Neurons ◽

Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Gut Peptides ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Compound C ◽

Apelin Receptor ◽

Signaling Activation

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Several brain–gut peptides are able to exert neuroprotective effects on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Apelin-13 is a neuropeptide, conveying potential neuroprotective activities. However, whether, and how, apelin-13 could antagonize rotenone-induced neurotoxicity has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, rotenone-treated SH-SY5Y cells and rats were used to clarify whether apelin-13 has protective effects on dopaminergic neurons, both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that apelin-13 could protect SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced injury and apoptosis. Apelin-13 was able to activate autophagy, and restore rotenone induced autophagy impairment in SH-SY5Y cells, which could be blocked by the autophagy inhibitor 3-Methyladenine. Apelin-13 activated AMPK/mTOR/ULK-1 signaling, AMPKα inhibitor compound C, as well as apelin receptor blockage via siRNA, which could block apelin-13-induced signaling activation, autophagy activation, and protective effects, in rotenone-treated SH-SY5Y cells. These results indicated that apelin-13 exerted neuroprotective properties against rotenone by stimulating AMPK/mTOR/ULK-1 signaling-mediated autophagy via the apelin receptor. We also observed that intracerebroventricular injection of apelin-13 could alleviate nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuron degeneration in rotenone-treated rats. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanism by which apelin-13 might attenuate neurotoxicity in PD.

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Neuroprotective Effects of the Herbal Formula B401 in Both Cell and Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2016/1939052 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chih-Hsiang Hsu ◽

Sheue-Er Wang ◽

Ching-Lung Lin ◽

Chun-Jen Hsiao ◽

Shuenn-Jyi Sheu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Model ◽

Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽

Herbal Formula ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Neurocognitive Dysfunctions ◽

Subcutaneous Blood Flow ◽

Triple Transgenic Mouse

In this study, we have reported the herbal formula B401 that has neuroprotective effects via multifunction, multitarget characteristics. It is possible that the herbal formula B401 may also provide new insights for AD. Here, we studied protective effects in the Tet-On Aβ42-GFP SH-SY5Y cell model and the APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic mouse model by the herbal formula B401. Inin vitroexperiments, we showed that the herbal formula B401 treatment effectively reduces glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and acetylcholinesterase activity in Tet-On Aβ42-GFP SH-SY5Y cells. Inin vivoexperiments, we found that oral B401 treatment effectively ameliorates neurocognitive dysfunctions of 3× Tg-AD mice via motor and cognitive behavior tests. By using magnetic resonance imaging, moorFLPI instruments, and chemiluminescence methods, we reported that oral B401 treatment effectively alleviates brain atrophy, improves subcutaneous blood flow, and reduces blood ROS in 3× Tg-AD mice. As observed from results of immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting, we found that oral B401 treatment significantly enhances expressions of neuroprotective proteins, while reducing expressions of AD derived proteins such as amyloid beta, phosphorylated Tau, neurofibrillary tangles, and 3-nitrotyrosine in the brain of 3× Tg-AD mice. Thus, the herbal formula B401 may have the potential to be developed into optimum TCM for AD patients.

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A Novel H2O2 Generator for Tumor Chemotherapy-Enhanced CO Gas Therapy

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.738567 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Yang Li ◽

Zeming Liu ◽

Weng Zeng ◽

Ziqi Wang ◽

Chunping Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Controlled Release ◽

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

Tumor Site ◽

Co Poisoning ◽

Chemotherapy Agent ◽

Manganese Carbonyl ◽

Co Gas

Carbon monoxide (CO) gas therapy is a promising cancer treatment. However, gas delivery to the tumor site remains problematic. Proper tunable control of CO release in tumors is crucial to increasing the efficiency of CO treatment and reducing the risk of CO poisoning. To overcome such challenges, we designed ZCM, a novel stable nanotechnology delivery system comprising manganese carbonyl (MnCO) combined with anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT) loaded onto a zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8). After intravenous injection, ZCM gradually accumulates in cancerous tissues, decomposing in the acidic tumor microenvironment, releasing CPT and MnCO. CPT acts as a chemotherapy agent destroying tumors and producing copious H2O2. MnCO can react with the H2O2 to generate CO, powerfully damaging the tumor. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that the ZCM system is both safe and has excellent tumor inhibition properties. ZCM is a novel system for CO controlled release, with significant potential to improve future cancer therapy.

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Neuropharmacological Effects of Quercetin: A Literature-Based Review

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.665031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Shahazul Islam ◽

Cristina Quispe ◽

Rajib Hossain ◽

Muhammad Torequl Islam ◽

Ahmed Al-Harrasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

Animal Experiments ◽

Amyloid Β ◽

Neuronal Injury ◽

Amyloid Β Peptide ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects

Quercetin (QUR) is a natural bioactive flavonoid that has been lately very studied for its beneficial properties in many pathologies. Its neuroprotective effects have been demonstrated in many in vitro studies, as well as in vivo animal experiments and human trials. QUR protects the organism against neurotoxic chemicals and also can prevent the evolution and development of neuronal injury and neurodegeneration. The present work aimed to summarize the literature about the neuroprotective effect of QUR using known database sources. Besides, this review focuses on the assessment of the potential utilization of QUR as a complementary or alternative medicine for preventing and treating neurodegenerative diseases. An up-to-date search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar for published work dealing with the neuroprotective effects of QUR against neurotoxic chemicals or in neuronal injury, and in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Findings suggest that QUR possess neuropharmacological protective effects in neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Amyloid β peptide, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In summary, this review emphasizes the neuroprotective effects of QUR and its advantages in being used in complementary medicine for the prevention and treatment o of different neurodegenerative diseases.

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Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenosides against Cerebral Ischemia

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24061102 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 1102 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Zhekang Cheng ◽

Meng Zhang ◽

Chengli Ling ◽

Ying Zhu ◽

Hongwei Ren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Ischemia ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Ischemic Injury ◽

Neurological Dysfunction ◽

Control Group ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Ginsenoside Rb1 ◽

Neuroprotective Effects

Ginseng has been used worldwide as traditional medicine for thousands of years, and ginsenosides have been proved to be the main active components for their various pharmacological activities. Based on their structures, ginsenosides can be divided into ginseng diol-type A and ginseng triol-type B with different pharmacological effects. In this study, six ginsenosides, namely ginsenoside Rb1, Rh2, Rg3, Rg5 as diol-type ginseng saponins, and Rg1 and Re as triol-type ginseng saponins, which were reported to be effective for ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) treatment, were chosen to compare their protective effects on cerebral I/R injury, and their mechanisms were studied by in vitro and in vivo experiments. It was found that all ginsenosides could reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibit apoptosis and increase mitochondrial membrane potential in cobalt chloride-induced (CoCl2-induced) PC12 cells injury model, and they could reduce cerebral infarction volume, brain neurological dysfunction of I/R rats in vivo. The results of immunohistochemistry and western blot showed that the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), silencing information regulator (SIRT1) and nuclear transcription factor P65 (NF-κB) in hippocampal CA1 region of some ginsenoside groups were also reduced. In general, the effect on cerebral ischemia of Rb1 and Rg3 was significantly improved compared with the control group, and was the strongest among all the ginsenosides. The effect on SIRT1 activation of ginsenoside Rb1 and the inhibition effect of TLR4/MyD88 protein expression of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg3 were significantly stronger than that of other groups. The results indicated that ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rh2, Rg3, Rg5 and Re were effective in protecting the brain against ischemic injury, and ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg3 have the strongest therapeutic activities in all the tested ginsenosides. Their neuroprotective mechanism is associated with TLR4/MyD88 and SIRT1 activation signaling pathways, and they can reduce cerebral ischemic injury by inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

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Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract ofLuehea divaricataagainst Behavioral and Oxidative Changes Induced by 3-Nitropropionic Acid in Rats

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2015/723431 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Aline Alves Courtes ◽

Letícia Priscila Arantes ◽

Rômulo Pillon Barcelos ◽

Ingrid Kich da Silva ◽

Aline Augusti Boligon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Locomotor Activity ◽

Aqueous Extract ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Male Rats ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Nitropropionic Acid ◽

3 Nitropropionic Acid

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. Accordingly, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) has been found to effectively produce HD-like symptoms.Luehea divaricata(L. divaricata), popularly known in Brazil as “açoita-cavalo,” may act as a neuroprotective agentin vitroandin vivo. We evaluated the hypothesis that the aqueous extract ofL. divaricatacould prevent behavioral and oxidative alterations induced by 3-NP in rats. 25 adult Wistar male rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) control, (2)L. divaricata(1000 mg/kg), (3) 3-NP, (4)L. divaricata(500 mg/kg) + 3-NP, and (5)L. divaricata(1000 mg/kg) + 3-NP. Groups 2, 4, and 5 receivedL. divaricatavia intragastric gavage daily for 10 days. Animals in groups 3, 4, and 5 received 20 mg/kg 3-NP daily from days 8–10. At day 10, parameters of locomotor activity and biochemical evaluations were performed. Indeed, rats treated with 3-NP showed decreased locomotor activity compared to controls. Additionally, 3-NP increased levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and decreased ratio of GSH/GSSG and acetylcholinesterase activity in cortex and/or striatum. Our results suggest that rats pretreated withL. divaricataprior to 3-NP treatment showed neuroprotective effects when compared to 3-NP treated controls, which may be due to its antioxidant properties.

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Hexarelin Modulation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt Pathways in Neuro-2A Cells Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide—Induced Apoptotic Toxicity

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14050444 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 444

Author(s):

Ramona Meanti ◽

Laura Rizzi ◽

Elena Bresciani ◽

Laura Molteni ◽

Vittorio Locatelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Peroxide ◽

Cell Viability ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Caspase 7 ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Hexarelin, a synthetic hexapeptide, exerts cyto-protective effects at the mitochondrial level in cardiac and skeletal muscles, both in vitro and in vivo, may also have important neuroprotective bioactivities. This study examined the inhibitory effects of hexarelin on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in Neuro-2A cells. Neuro-2A cells were treated for 24 h with various concentrations of H2O2 or with the combination of H2O2 and hexarelin following which cell viability and nitrite (NO2−) release were measured. Cell morphology was also documented throughout and changes arising were quantified using Image J skeleton and fractal analysis procedures. Apoptotic responses were evaluated by Real-Time PCR (caspase-3, caspase-7, Bax, and Bcl-2 mRNA levels) and Western Blot (cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-7, MAPK, and Akt). Our results indicate that hexarelin effectively antagonized H2O2-induced damage to Neuro-2A cells thereby (i) improving cell viability, (ii) reducing NO2− release and (iii) restoring normal morphologies. Hexarelin treatment also reduced mRNA levels of caspase-3 and its activation, and modulated mRNA levels of the BCL-2 family. Moreover, hexarelin inhibited MAPKs phosphorylation and increased p-Akt protein expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrate neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effects of hexarelin, suggesting that new analogues could be developed for their neuroprotective effects.

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