WS-5 Extract of Curcuma longa, Chaenomeles sinensis, and Zingiber officinale Contains Anti-AChE Compounds and Improves β-Amyloid-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is linked to an extensive neuron loss via accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) as senile plaques associated with reactive astrocytes and microglial activation in the brain. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of WS-5 ethanol extract in vitro and in vivo against Aβ-induced AD in mice and to identify the extract’s active constituents. In the present study, WS-5 exerted a significant inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that WS-5 prevented Aβ oligomerization via inhibition of Aβ1-42 aggregation. Evaluation of antioxidant activities using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) demonstrated that WS-5 possessed a high antioxidant activity, which was confirmed by measuring the total antioxidant status (TAS). Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of WS-5 were examined using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. WS-5 significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide–induced production of nitric oxide and two proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6. The memory impairment in mice with Aβ-induced AD was studied using the Morris water maze and passive avoidance test. Immunohistochemistry was performed to monitor pathological changes in the hippocampus and cortex region of the mouse brain. The animal study showed that WS-5 (250 mg/kg) treatment improved learning and suppressed memory impairment as well as reduced Aβ plaque accumulation in Aβ-induced AD. HPLC analysis identified the extract’s active compounds that exert anti-AChE activity. In summary, our findings suggest that WS-5 could be applied as a natural product therapy with a focus on neuroinflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Hot Water Extract of Curcuma longa L. Improves Serum Inflammatory Markers and General Health in Subjects with Overweight or Prehypertension/Mild Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…In previous clinical studies, supplementation with anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs improved the scores for GH, VT, MH, and MCS [67,68]. WEC have been found to prevent not only the production of TNF-α and IL-6 in activated brain microglial cells/macrophages, but also neuroinflammation associated with fatigue, depression, and memory impairment in animal studies [20,69,70]. Therefore, it is possible that WEC improved HR-QOL by alleviating inflammation-related symptoms.…”

Curcuma longa extract improves serum inflammatory markers and mental health in healthy participants who are overweight: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

“…In addition, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials found an antidepressant effect for minocycline, a suppressor of microglial activation [ 85 ]. In activated microglial cells, C. longa extract, turmeronol A, and turmeronol B were found to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α and IL-6 [ 86 , 87 ]. In addition, in animal studies C. longa extract inhibited the neuroinflammation associated with fatigue [ 88 ], depression [ 27 ], memory impairment [ 86 ], and anxiety- and sleep deprivation-induced behavior abnormalities [ 89 , 90 ].…”

“…In activated microglial cells, C. longa extract, turmeronol A, and turmeronol B were found to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α and IL-6 [ 86 , 87 ]. In addition, in animal studies C. longa extract inhibited the neuroinflammation associated with fatigue [ 88 ], depression [ 27 ], memory impairment [ 86 ], and anxiety- and sleep deprivation-induced behavior abnormalities [ 89 , 90 ]. In the present study, dietary supplementation with CLE improved mental health and negative mood state, suggesting that these improvements could be related in part to inhibition of microglial activation in the central nervous system.…”

Effects of Curcumin on Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Evidence

“…This evidence indicates that CUR would exert its effects independently of the Age-1-DAF-16 pathway but rather through other constituents of the IIS pathway. With regard to cognitive impairment, the in vivo experiment demonstrated that CUR can improve learning and memory also reducing Aβ plaque formation in the context of Alzheimer disease (AD) [146]. D. melanogaster is a promising animal model for research in AD [147].…”