Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Asarone in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Neurological disorders are important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders, associated with an aging population, has intensified the societal burden associated with these diseases, for which no effective treatment strategies currently exist. Therefore, the identification and development of novel therapeutic approaches, able to halt or reverse neuronal loss by targeting the underlying causal factors that lead to neurodegeneration and neuronal cell death, are urgently necessary. Plants and other natural products have been explored as sources of safe, naturally occurring secondary metabolites with potential neuroprotective properties. The secondary metabolites α- and β-asarone can be found in high levels in the rhizomes of the medicinal plant Acorus calamus (L.). α- and β-asarone exhibit multiple pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current research on the therapeutic potential of α- and β-asarone in the treatment of neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as cerebral ischemic disease, and epilepsy. Current research indicates that α- and β-asarone exert neuroprotective effects by mitigating oxidative stress, abnormal protein accumulation, neuroinflammation, neurotrophic factor deficit, and promoting neuronal cell survival, as well as activating various neuroprotective signalling pathways. Although the beneficial effects exerted by α- and β-asarone have been demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo animal studies, additional research is required to translate laboratory results into safe and effective therapies for patients with AD, PD, and other neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Neuroprotective Role of Acorus calamus in Developmental and Histopathological Changes in Autism-Induced Wistar Rats

“…The secondary metabolites of the rhizome part of A. calamus are mainly α-and β-asarone. Both α-and βasarone exhibit multiple pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects by crossing the blood-brain barrier [19]. β-Asarone protects cognitive function by inhibiting ACh esterase and suppressing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion among Alzheimer's disease-induced rats [6,20].…”

Neuroprotective Effects of Black Pepper and Its Bioactive Compounds in Age-Related Neurological Disorders

“…Age-related neurological disorders (ANDs) include neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). ANDs, such as epilepsy and ischemic stroke, and neuropsychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, lack treatment options [ 2 , 3 ]. The main pathological hallmarks of ANDs are behavioral changes; excessive oxidative stress; progressive functional decline; impaired mitochondrial function; protein misfolding, aggregation, and accumulation; excitotoxicity; disturbed calcium (Ca 2+ ) homeostasis; neuroinflammation; and neuronal cell death.…”

Targeting Nrf2 signaling pathway by quercetin in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders: An overview and update on new developments

“…Because of the increase in median life expectancy, there will undoubtedly be a significant worldwide burden in the coming years as the number of individuals with NLDs is predicted to expand dramatically [3]. Immediate and gradual neuron deterioration is a common feature of NLDs, which eventually leads to cerebral malfunction and neuron death [4]. The central and peripheral nervous systems both function inadequately in NLDs, which causes a variety of neurological symptoms, such as seizures, movement impairment, and mental and cognitive problems [5–7].…”