Neuroprotective Role of Lazaroids Against Aluminium Chloride Poisoning

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) is neurotoxic primarily because of its interference with biological enzymes in key mechanisms of metabolic pathways. Mitochondria being a major site of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, it seems that the oxidative damage to mitochondrial proteins may underlie the pathogenesis of Al induced neurodegeneration. The present study investigates the effectiveness of the anti-oxidant property of lazaroids (U-74500A), a known lipid peroxidation inhibitor as neuroprotective agent against Al induced neurotoxicity. Al chloride was administered orally at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body wt/day in water and U-74500A was administered at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg body wt i.p. in citrate buffer for a period of 8 weeks on alternate days. Following Al exposure there was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO), ROS levels and reduction in the activity of mitochondrial complexes in all the three regions of rat brain, i.e., cerebral cortex, mid brain, and cerebellum. This decrease in the activities of electron transport complexes in turn affected the ATP synthesis and ATP levels adversely in the mitochondria. These alterations were also depicted in the histology which shows signs of hypoxia, paucity of neurons in cortical region and loosening of fibers in the white matter. U-74500A co-administration was able to restore alterations in the LPO, ROS levels as well as all the three mitochondrial complexes and caspase expression. Therefore, it is suggested that 21-aminosteroids (lazaroids), by attenuating LPO and mitochondrial dysfunction, holds a promise as an agent that can potentially reduce Al-induced adverse effects in brain.

Computational and Experimental Assessments of Magnolol as a Neuroprotective Agent and Utilization of UiO-66(Zr) as Its Drug Delivery System

“…The neuroprotective activity of magnolol was assessed in an AlCl 3 -induced Alzheimer’s disease animal model as described by Mahdy and co-workers, Sood and co-workers, and Yassin and co-workers with modifications. Analysis was done for 2 months. − The experiment determined the therapeutic effects of magnolol when the pathological indices would be reversed and the neuroprotective activity of magnolol when given together with AlCl 3 .…”