scholarly journals Cannabinoids and Neurogenesis: The Promised Solution for Neurodegeneration?

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 6313
Author(s):  
Andrea Valeri ◽  
Emanuela Mazzon

The concept of neurons as irreplaceable cells does not hold true today. Experiments and evidence of neurogenesis, also, in the adult brain give hope that some compounds or drugs can enhance this process, helping to reverse the outcomes of diseases or traumas that once were thought to be everlasting. Cannabinoids, both from natural and artificial origins, already proved to have several beneficial effects (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants and analgesic action), but also capacity to increase neuronal population, by replacing the cells that were lost and/or regenerate a damaged nerve cell. Neurogenesis is a process which is not highly represented in literature as neuroprotection, though it is as important as prevention of nervous system damage, because it can represent a possible solution when neuronal death is already present, such as in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this review is to resume the experimental evidence of phyto- and synthetic cannabinoids effects on neurogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo, in order to elucidate if they possess also neurogenetic and neurorepairing properties.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Fernanda Gubert ◽  
Camila Zaverucha-do-Valle ◽  
Michelle Furtado ◽  
Pedro M. Pimentel-Coelho ◽  
Nicoli Mortari ◽  
...  

CD60b antigens are highly expressed during development in the rat nervous system, while in the adult their expression is restricted to a few regions, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) around the lateral ventricles—a neurogenic niche in the adult brain. For this reason, we investigated whether the expression of C60b is associated with neural stem/progenitor cells in the SVZ, from development into adulthood. We performedin vitroandin vivoanalyses of CD60b expression at different stages and identified the presence of these antigens in neural stem/progenitor cells. We also observed that CD60b could be used to purify and enrich a population of neurosphere-forming cells from the developing and adult brain. We showed that CD60b antigens (mainly corresponding to ganglioside 9-O-acetyl GD3, a well-known molecule expressed during central nervous system development and mainly associated with neuronal migration) are also present in less mature cells and could be used to identify and isolate neural stem/progenitor cells during development and in the adult brain. A better understanding of molecules associated with neurogenesis may contribute not only to improve the knowledge about the physiology of the mammalian central nervous system, but also to find new treatments for regenerating tissue after disease or brain injury.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Szwajgier ◽  
Ewa Baranowska-Wojcik ◽  
Kamila Borowiec

Numerous authors have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of phenolic acids and their derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of phenolic acids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is discussed, including the structure-activity relationship. In addition, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the formation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibrils is presented. We also cover the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies concerning the prevention and treatment of the cognitive enhancement.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 507
Author(s):  
Rosaria Meccariello ◽  
Stefania D’Angelo

Aging and, particularly, the onset of age-related diseases are associated with tissue dysfunction and macromolecular damage, some of which can be attributed to accumulation of oxidative damage. Recently, growing interest has emerged on the beneficial effects of plant-based diets for the prevention of chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Several studies collectively suggests that the intake of polyphenols and their major food sources may exert beneficial effects on improving insulin resistance and related diabetes risk factors, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. They are the most abundant antioxidants in the diet, and their intake has been associated with a reduced aging in humans. Polyphenolic intake has been shown to be effective at ameliorating several age-related phenotypes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, impaired proteostasis, and cellular senescence, both in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, effects of these phytochemicals (either pure forms or polyphenolic-food) are reviewed and summarized according to affected cellular signaling pathways. Finally, the effectiveness of the anti-aging preventive action of nutritional interventions based on diets rich in polyphenolic food, such as the diets of the Blue zones, are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Zhou ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Ping Fu ◽  
Zihao Cui ◽  
Yuhang Ge ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Oligovascular niche mediates interactions between cerebral endothelial cells and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Disruption of OPC-endothelium trophic coupling may aggravate the progress of cerebral white matter injury (WMI) because endothelial cells could not provide sufficient support under diseased conditions. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been reported to ameliorate WMI in the adult brain by boosting oligovascular remodeling. It is necessary to clarify the role of the conditioned medium from hypoxic endothelial cells preconditioned EPCs (EC-pEPCs) in WMI since EPCs usually were recruited and play important roles under blood-brain barrier disruption. Here, we investigated the effects of EC-pEPCs on oligovascular remodeling in a neonatal rat model of WMI. Methods In vitro, OPC apoptosis induced by the conditioned medium from oxygen-glucose deprivation-injured brain microvascular endothelial cells (OGD-EC-CM) was analyzed by TUNEL and FACS. The effects of EPCs on EC damage and the expression of cytomokine C-X-C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12) were examined by western blot and FACS. The effect of the CM from EC-pEPCs against OPC apoptosis was also verified by western blot and silencing RNA. In vivo, P3 rat pups were subjected to right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia and treated with EPCs or EC-pEPCs at P7, and then angiogenesis and myelination together with cognitive outcome were evaluated at the 6th week. Results In vitro, EPCs enhanced endothelial function and decreased OPC apoptosis. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that OGD-EC-CM induced an increase of CXCL12 in EPCs, and CXCL12-CXCR4 axis is a key signaling since CXCR4 knockdown alleviated the anti-apoptosis effect of EPCs on OPCs. In vivo, the number of EPCs and CXCL12 protein level markedly increased in the WMI rats. Compared to the EPCs, EC-pEPCs significantly decreased OPC apoptosis, increased vascular density and myelination in the corpus callosum, and improved learning and memory deficits in the neonatal rat WMI model. Conclusions EC-pEPCs more effectively promote oligovascular remodeling and myelination via CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in the neonatal rat WMI model.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Dachev ◽  
Jana Bryndová ◽  
Milan Jakubek ◽  
Zdeněk Moučka ◽  
Marian Urban

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are distinctive polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are present in food produced by ruminant animals and they are accumulated in seeds of certain plants. These naturally occurring substances have demonstrated to have anti-carcinogenic activity. Their potential effect to inhibit cancer has been shown in vivo and in vitro studies. In this review, we present the multiple effects of CLA isomers on cancer development such as anti-tumor efficiency, anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidant activity. Although the majority of the studies in vivo and in vitro summarized in this review have demonstrated beneficial effects of CLA on the proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells, further experimental work is needed to estimate the true value of CLA as a real anti-cancer agent.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Callizot ◽  
C. Estrella ◽  
S. Burlet ◽  
A. Henriques ◽  
C. Brantis ◽  
...  

AbstractProgranulin (PGRN) is a protein with multiple functions including the regulation of neuroinflammation, neuronal survival, neurite and synapsis growth. Although the mechanisms of action of PGRN are currently unknown, its potential therapeutic application in treating neurodegenerative diseases is huge. Thus, strategies to increase PGRN levels in patients could provide an effective treatment. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AZP2006, a lysotropic molecule now in phase 2a clinical trial in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy patients, for its ability to increase PGRN level and promote neuroprotection. We showed for the first time the in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective effects of AZP2006 in neurons injured with Aβ1–42 and in two different pathological animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aging. Thus, the chronic treatment with AZP2006 was shown to reduce the loss of central synapses and neurons but also to dramatically decrease the massive neuroinflammation associated with the animal pathology. A deeper investigation showed that the beneficial effects of AZP2006 were associated with PGRN production. Also, AZP2006 binds to PSAP (the cofactor of PGRN) and inhibits TLR9 receptors normally responsible for proinflammation when activated. Altogether, these results showed the high potential of AZP2006 as a new putative treatment for AD and related diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Annalisa Noce ◽  
Maria Albanese ◽  
Giulia Marrone ◽  
Manuela Di Lauro ◽  
Anna Pietroboni Zaitseva ◽  
...  

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more than 100,000,000 cases of coronavirus infection in the world in just a year, of which there were 2 million deaths. Its clinical picture is characterized by pulmonary involvement that culminates, in the most severe cases, in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, COVID-19 affects other organs and systems, including cardiovascular, urinary, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Currently, unique-drug therapy is not supported by international guidelines. In this context, it is important to resort to adjuvant therapies in combination with traditional pharmacological treatments. Among natural bioactive compounds, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) seems to have potentially beneficial effects. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an ongoing clinical trial with ultramicronized (um)-PEA as an add-on therapy in the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In support of this hypothesis, in vitro and in vivo studies have highlighted the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and pain-relieving effects of PEA, especially in its um form. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential use of um-PEA as an adjuvant treatment in SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruijie Zeng ◽  
Jinghua Wang ◽  
Zewei Zhuo ◽  
Yujun Luo ◽  
Weihong Sha ◽  
...  

AbstractNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease predominately affecting neonates. Despite therapeutic advances, NEC remains the leading cause of mortality due to gastrointestinal conditions in neonates. Stem cells have been exploited in various diseases, and the application of different types of stem cells in the NEC therapy is explored in the past decade. However, stem cell transplantation possesses several deficiencies, and exosomes are considered potent alternatives. Exosomes, especially those derived from stem cells and breast milk, demonstrate beneficial effects for NEC both in vivo and in vitro and emerge as promising options for clinical practice. In this review, the function and therapeutic effects of stem cells and exosomes for NEC are investigated and summarized, which provide insights for the development and application of novel therapeutic strategies in pediatric diseases. Further elucidation of mechanisms, improvement in preparation, bioengineering, and administration, as well as rigorous clinical trials are warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1824
Author(s):  
Matthias Mietsch ◽  
Rabea Hinkel

With cardiovascular diseases affecting millions of patients, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. The use of stem cell based approaches has been investigated during the last decades and promising effects have been achieved. However, the beneficial effect of stem cells has been found to being partly due to paracrine functions by alterations of their microenvironment and so an interesting field of research, the “stem- less” approaches has emerged over the last years using or altering the microenvironment, for example, via deletion of senescent cells, application of micro RNAs or by modifying the cellular energy metabolism via targeting mitochondria. Using autologous muscle-derived mitochondria for transplantations into the affected tissues has resulted in promising reports of improvements of cardiac functions in vitro and in vivo. However, since the targeted treatment group represents mainly elderly or otherwise sick patients, it is unclear whether and to what extent autologous mitochondria would exert their beneficial effects in these cases. Stem cells might represent better sources for mitochondria and could enhance the effect of mitochondrial transplantations. Therefore in this review we aim to provide an overview on aging effects of stem cells and mitochondria which might be important for mitochondrial transplantation and to give an overview on the current state in this field together with considerations worthwhile for further investigations.


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