Ameliorating Effect on Aβ-Induced Alzheimer’s Mice by Litsea cubeba Persoon Powder

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by excessive oxidative damage and aging. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-dementia effect of LCP fruit powder on amyloid β (Aβ)-induced Alzheimer’s mice. The composition of LCP essential oil was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In addition, the water maze was used to evaluate the learning and memorizing abilities of the mice. The concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, phosphorylated τ-protein, and the deposition of Aβ plaques in mouse brains were also assessed. The results showed that the main components of essential oils in LCP and d-limonene, neral, and geranial contents were 14.15%, 30.94%, and 31.74%, respectively. Furthermore, oral administration with different dosages of LCP significantly decreased the escape time (21.25~33.62 s) and distance (3.23~5.07 m) in the reference memory test, and increased the duration time (26.14~28.90 s) and crossing frequency (7.00~7.88 times) in the target zone of probe test (p < 0.05). LCP also inhibited the contents of MDA and the phosphor-τ-protein from oxidative stress, reduced the brain atrophy by about 3~8%, and decreased the percentage of Aβ plaques from 0.44 to 0.05%. Finally, it was observed that the minimum dosage of LCP fruit powder (LLCP, 30.2 mg/day) could prevent oxidative stress induced by Aβ and subsequently facilitate memory and learning deficits in Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and cognitively impaired mice.

Parapyruvate Induces Neurodegeneration in C57BL/6JNarl Mice via Inhibition of the α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex

“…Moreover, it appears that the aggregation of Tau protein, the reduction of ACh, and the deposition of Aβ are also related to high oxidative stress. High oxidative stress has been shown to promote the deposition of Aβ42 and lead to the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, which could result in the instability and dissociation of the microtubules in the brain and ultimately lead to the oligomerization of Tau protein . The oxidative stress has also been considered a key modulator in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD .…”

“…High oxidative stress has been shown to promote the deposition of Aβ42 54 and lead to the hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, which could result in the instability and dissociation of the microtubules in the brain and ultimately lead to the oligomerization of Tau protein. 54 The oxidative stress has also been considered a key modulator in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. 30 In this study, the results showed that parapyruvate could induce the aggregation of Tau and p-Tau, and the increase of the AChE activity, supporting the crucial role of the oxidative stress in the etiology of AD.…”

Natural essential oils derived from herbal medicines: A promising therapy strategy for treating cognitive impairment

“… Jeon et al (2011) found that early inhalation of SHXW EO improved CI caused by Aβ (1–42) and inhibited Aβ-induced Tau phosphorylation by suppressing the activation of JNK and p38 in the brain. Lee et al (2021) fed AD mice Induced by Aβ1-40 with the same essential oil content of Litsea cubeba Persoon Powder, and showed that it reduced P-Tau content and Aβ plaques, resulting in about 3–8% reduction in brain atrophy.…”

Anti-inflammatory and memory-enhancing properties of Chinese herbal extracts: The possible application in Alzheimer’s disease

“…It is called “Shan Cang Zi or shan jiao ji” in China and “makauy” in Taiwan. The indigenous people in Taiwan used the essential oil of L. cubeba to cure headaches, inflammation, intoxication, bronchitis, and dyspepsia [ 52 ]. The effect of L. cubeba essential oil has been studied in Ab-induced AD mice and revealed decreasing oxidative stress, brain atrophy, and Aβ plaques.…”

“…The effect of L. cubeba essential oil has been studied in Ab-induced AD mice and revealed decreasing oxidative stress, brain atrophy, and Aβ plaques. Besides, oral administration of L. cubeba (30.2 mg/day) for 8 weeks could improve spatial and working learning and memory deficit in Ab-induced AD mice [ 52 ]. The L. cubeba essential oil also displayed its effect on anxiolytic and analgesic activities and prolonged sleeping in ICR mice [ 53 ].…”