Neuroprotective

Numerous neurological disorders share a fatal pathologic process known as glutamate excitotoxicity. Among which, ischemic stroke is the major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. For a long time, the main idea of developing anti-excitotoxic neuroprotective agents was to block glutamate receptors. Despite this, there has been little successful clinical translation to date. After decades of "neuron-centered" views, a growing number of studies have recently revealed the importance of non-neuronal cells...

Sinapic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid found in citrus fruits and cereals. Recent studies have shown that SA has potential anti-seizure properties due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective role of SA at two different dosages in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced acute seizure model. Mice were divided into six groups: normal control, PTZ, SA (20 mg/kg), SA (20 mg/kg) + PTZ, SA (40 mg/kg), and SA (40 mg/kg) + PTZ...

Aim: The study was designed to develop and analyze curcumin nanoparticles. Methods: Curcumin nanoparticles were formulated and evaluated. Their efficacy in protecting against brain damage was investigated in a rat model of ischemic stroke, considering motor function, muscle strength and antioxidant enzyme activity. Results: Curcumin nanoparticles displayed a zeta potential of -55 ± 13.5 mV and an average particle size of 51.40 ± 21.70 nm. In ischemic stroke rat models, curcumin nanoparticle treatment significantly improved motor functions, and muscle strength and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation...

20( S )-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is one of the bioactive ingredients in ginseng and possesses neuroprotective properties. Brain-type creatine kinase (CK-BB) is an enzyme involved in brain energy homeostasis via the phosphocreatine-creatine kinase system. We previously identified PPD as directly bound to CK-BB and activated its activity in vitro . In this study, we explored the antidepressive effects of PPD that target CK-BB. First, we conducted time course studies on brain CK-BB, behaviors, and hippocampal structural plasticity responses to corticosterone (CORT) administration...

microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone on the expression profiles of miRNA and cognitive functions in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson's model. Male adult Wistar albino rats (200-230 g, n = 36) were randomly assigned to six groups: Sham, thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, p.o.), 6-OHDA, 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (10 mg/kg), 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (20 mg/kg), and 6-OHDA + thymoquinone (50 mg/kg)...

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity in the severity of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) disease, including brain bleedings and thrombosis that cause neurological disabilities in patients, suggests that environmental, genetic, or biological factors act as disease modifiers. Still, the underlying mechanisms are not entirely understood. Here, we report that mild hypoxia accelerates CCM disease by promoting angiogenesis, neuroinflammation, and vascular thrombosis in the brains of CCM mouse models...

BACKGROUND: Activation of the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) by tissue acidosis, a common feature of brain ischemia, contributes to ischemic brain injury, while blockade of ASICs results in protection. Cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol (Triol), a major cholesterol metabolite, has been demonstrated as an endogenous neuroprotectant; however, the mechanism underlying its neuroprotective activity remains elusive. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of ASICs is a potential mechanism...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder worldwide. Current treatments for PD largely center around dopamine replacement therapies and fail to prevent the progression of pathology, underscoring the need for neuroprotective interventions. Approaches that target neuroinflammation, which occurs prior to dopaminergic neuron (DAn) loss in the substantia nigra (SN), represent a promising therapeutic strategy. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been implicated in the neuropathology of PD and modulates numerous neuroinflammatory signaling pathways in the brain...

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA), a bioactive compound isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza plants, has shown potential neuroprotective effects; however, the mechanisms underlying such a function remain unclear. AIM: To investigate potential Tan-IIA neuroprotective effects in AD and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Hematoxylin and eosin staining was utilized to analyze structural brain tissue morphology...

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most commonly used organophosphosphate-based (OP) insecticides. Its wide use has led to higher morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Moringa seed extracts (MSE) have shown neuroprotective activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial features. The literature lacks data investigating the role of MSE against CPF-induced cerebral and ocular toxicity in mice. Therefore, we aim to investigate this concern. A total of 40 mature male Wistar Albino mice were randomly distributed to five groups...

In this study, we report paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) and cotton wool spots (CWS) in a patient with ocular migraine. A 74-year-old man presented with persistent paracentral scotoma in the right eye that began a week prior. His visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left. Dilated fundoscopy revealed CWS in the right eye. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed hyper-reflective bands in the inner nuclear layer corresponding to parafoveal lesions seen on near-infrared imaging in the right eye consistent with the diagnosis of PAMM...

Brain-related disorders include neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and demyelination, which ultimately affect the quality of life of patients. Currently, brain-related disorders represent the most challenging health problem worldwide due to complex pathogenesis and limited availability of drugs for their management. Further, the available pharmacotherapy accompanies serious side effects, therefore, much attention has been directed toward the development of alternative therapy derived from natural sources to treat such disorders...

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating neurological disease causing severe sensorimotor dysfunction and cognitive decline, yet there is no effective treatment strategy to alleviate outcomes of these patients. The Mas axis-mediated neuroprotection is involved in the pathology of various neurological diseases, however, the role of the Mas receptor in the setting of ICH remains to be elucidated. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the ICH model by injection of collagenase into mice striatum...

Despite advances in intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy, numerous acute ischemic stroke survivors continue to experience various disability levels. The nitric oxide (NO) donor, Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN), has been identified as a potential neuroprotective agent against ischemic damage. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of intravenous GTN in AIS patients. Subsequently, we conducted a secondary analysis to assess for possible efficacy of GTN as a neuroprotectant. We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in the Stroke Intervention & Translational Center (SITC) in Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University (ChiCTR2100046271)...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Goji berry is a general term for various plant species in the genus Lycium. Goji has long been historically used in traditional Chinese medicines. Goji is a representative tonic medicine that has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney and benefiting the essence and eyesight. It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, including tinnitus, impotence, spermatorrhea and blood deficiency, since ancient times. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This study aims to comprehensively summarize the quality evaluation methods of the main compounds in goji, as well as the current research status of the phenolamides in goji and their pharmacological effects, to explore the feasibility of using phenolamides as quality control markers and thus improve the quality and efficacy in goji...

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently associated with the occurrence and development of depression, and the co-occurrence of diabetes mellitus with depression (DD) may further reduce patients' quality of life. Recent research indicates that dopamine receptors (DRs) play a crucial role in immune and metabolic regulation. Pramipexole (PPX), a D2/3R agonist, has demonstrated promising neuroprotective and immunomodulatory effects. Nevertheless, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of PPX on DM-induced depression are not clear at present...

Introduction Pythons are a well-studied model of postprandial physiological plasticity. Consuming a meal evokes a suite of physiological changes in pythons including one of the largest documented increases in post-feeding metabolic rates relative to resting values. However, little is known about how this plasticity manifests in the brain. Previous work has shown that cell proliferation in the python brain increases six days following meal consumption. This study aimed to confirm these findings and build on them in the long term by tracking the survival and maturation of these newly created cells across a two-month period...

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset and progressive progression, of which the most common type is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lithium, a trace element in the body, has neuroprotective properties. However, whether lithium can treat dementia or AD remains a highly controversial topic. Therefore we conducted a meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Comparison of the effects of lithium on Alzheimer's disease or dementia in terms of use, duration, and dosage, and meta-analysis to test whether lithium therapy is beneficial in ameliorating the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's disease...

Disturbances in protein phase transitions promote protein aggregation─a neurodegeneration hallmark. The modular Ran-binding protein 2 (Ranbp2) is a cytosolic molecular hub for rate-limiting steps of phase transitions of Ran-GTP-bound protein ensembles exiting nuclear pores. Chaperones also regulate phase transitions and proteostasis by suppressing protein aggregation. Ranbp2 haploinsufficiency promotes the age-dependent neuroprotection of the chorioretina against phototoxicity by proteostatic regulations of neuroprotective substrates of Ranbp2 and by suppressing the buildup of polyubiquitylated substrates...

Many cancer patients are at risk of developing cognitive symptoms that often become evident during or after cancer-directed therapy and may involve difficulties with attention, concentration, multitasking, executive function, and memory. Despite recent advances in identifying potential molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cancer and chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment, there is generally a lack of effective treatment strategies, and the development of novel therapeutic interventions represents a major unmet medical need in clinical practice...