Anti-Amnesia-like Effect of Pinus densiflora Extract by Improving Apoptosis and Neuroinflammation on Trimethyltin-Induced ICR Mice

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 18; p. 14084
• Main Authors: Go, Min Ji, Kim, Jong Min, Lee, Hyo Lim, Kim, Tae Yoon, Joo, Seung Gyum, Kim, Ju Hui, Lee, Han Su, Kim, Dae-Ok, Heo, Ho Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 14.09.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Behavior; cholinergic system; Free radicals; Hypotheses; Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) bark; Laboratory animals; Memory; mitochondrial function; Neurodegeneration; neuroinflammation; Older people; Oxidative stress; Proteins; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814084

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-amnestic property of Korean red pine bark extract (KRPBE) on TMT-induced cognitive decline in ICR mice. As a result of looking at behavioral function, the consumption of KRPBE improved the spatial work ability, short-term learning, and memory ability by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. KRPBE suppressed antioxidant system damage by assessing the SOD activity, reduced GSH content, and MDA levels in brain tissue. In addition, it had a protective effect on cholinergic and synaptic systems by regulating ACh levels, AChE activity, and protein expression levels of ChAT, AChE, SYP, and PSD-95. Also, the KRPBE ameliorated TMT-induced mitochondrial damage by regulating the ROS content, MMP, and ATP levels. Treatment with KRPBE suppressed Aβ accumulation and phosphorylation of tau and reduced the expression level of BAX/BCl-2 ratio and caspase 3, improving oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Moreover, treatment with KRPBE improved cognitive dysfunction by regulating the neuro-inflammatory protein expression levels of p-JNK, p-Akt, p-IκB-α, COX-2, and IL-1β. Based on these results, the extract of Korean red pine bark, which is discarded as a byproduct of forestry, might be used as an eco-friendly material for functional foods or pharmaceuticals by having an anti-amnesia effect on cognitive impairment.