Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and the build-up of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles containing hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. This leads to neuronal damage, cell death and consequently results in memory and learning impairments leading to dementia. Although the exact cause of AD is not yet clear, numerous studies indicate that oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction significantly contribute to its onset and progression. There is no effective therapeutic approach to stop the progression of AD and its associated symptoms. Thus, early intervention, preferably, pre-clinically when the brain is not significantly affected, is a better option for effective treatment. Natural polyphenols (PP) target multiple AD-related pathways such as protecting the brain from Aβ and tau neurotoxicity, ameliorating oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Among natural products, the cereal crop sorghum has some unique features. It is one of the major global grain crops but in the developed world, it is primarily used as feed for farm animals. A broad range of PP, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and condensed tannins are present in sorghum grain including some classes such as proanthocyanidins that are rarely found in others plants. Pigmented varieties of sorghum have the highest polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity which potentially makes their consumption beneficial for human health through different pathways such as oxidative stress reduction and thus the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the potential of sorghum PP to beneficially affect the neuropathology of AD.

Differentiation of stem cells and functionality of target cells are regulated by microenvironmental stimuli to which the cells are exposed. Chemical agents such as growth factors and physical parameters including mechanical loadings are among major stimuli. In this study, equiaxial cyclic strain with two amplitudes was applied on rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rAMSCs) with or without 5-azacytidine. The mRNA expression of cardiac-related genes was investigated through RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method. Moreover, morphological features and the actin structure of the cells were studied. Results were indications of significant increase in mRNA expression among four target genes, which marked the increase in two principal cardiac markers of GATA4 and α-cardiac actin, and lesser increase in two other genes (NKX2-5, βMHC) in all experimental groups treated chemically and/or mechanically. Such effect was maximal when both treatments were applied describing the synergistic effect of combined stimuli. All treatments caused significant increase in cell area and cell shape index. The well spreading of cells was accompanied by enhanced actin structure, especially among samples subjected to mechanical stimulus. Both effects were among required features for functional muscle cells such as cardiac cells. It was concluded that the cyclic equiaxial strain enhanced cardiomyogenic induction among rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and such effect was strengthened when it was accompanied by application of chemical factor. Results can be considered among strategies for cardiomyogenic differentiation and can be employed in cardiac tissue engineering for production of functional cardiomyocytes to repair of damaged myocardium.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for most dementia cases. It has become a serious international health and economic concern as there is no effective treatment. Naturally derived products, particularly polyphenols (PP), have become very popular for developing effective therapeutic strategies for AD. PP apply their neuroprotective actions through targeting various pathological hallmarks of the disease, such as Aβ and/or aggregation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Aβ aggregation is majorly implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Therefore, finding a way to attenuate Aβ-induced toxicity could be a potential approach for disease-modifying treatments of AD. In the current study, the effect of polyphenolic extract from different sorghum varieties was assessed against Aβ 42 -induced cytotoxicity.Method: A cell viability assay (MTS) was utilized to assess the protective effect of the extracts on Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma BE (2)-M17 cells. Following that, a thioflavin T (Th-T) assay was performed to assess the anti-Aβ aggregation effect of the extracts. Result:The sorghum extracts significantly increased the cell viability. Of the six different tested extracts, QL33(2000 µg/ml) and B923296(1000 µg/ml) demonstrated the strongest and weakest protective effect in decreasing Aβ-induced cell death (p < 0.01), respectively. In addition, the sorghum extracts were effective at inhibiting the Aβ aggregation. Conclusion:Sorghum polyphenolic extracts demonstrated a promising neuroprotective effect against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and therefore can be considered as a potential naturally derived agent for AD treatment. However, further studies are required to confirm the anti-AD effects of these sorghum extracts.

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