Neuroprotective effects of 1`δ-1`-acetoxyeugenol acetate on Aβ_(25-35) induced cognitive dysfunction in mice

The progressive accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide is neurotoxic and leads to Alzheimer's type dementia. Accumulation of Aβ has been associated with dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effect of 1`δ-1`-acetoxyeugenol acetate (DAEA), isolated from Alpinia galanga (L.), on Aβ_(25-35) induced neurodegeneration in mice. Mice were treated with three different doses of DAEA (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) for 28 days. Aβ_(25-35) was injected by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection on the 15th day of 28 days. Open field, water maze and step-down inhibitory tests were performed on the 27th day to determine the habituation memory, spatial learning, and short- and long-term memory, respectively. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Corticosterone, biogenic amines (serotonin and dopamine), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and antioxidant parameters such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and vitamin C were evaluated in brain homogenates after behavioural tests to ascertain the cognitive improvement through neuro-immune-endocrine modulation. The DAEA treatment with 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg resulted in significant (p < 0.001) improvement of habituation memory and step-down inhibitory avoidance task. In spatial learning, the cognitive improvement was significantly improved (p < 0.001) by reduction in escape latency. In the biochemical study, the significant (p < 0.001) reduction of AChE indicates the preeminent neuroprotection. Corticosterone and TNF-α were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced and biogenic amines were increased with antioxidant markers, which signify the potential influence of DAEA on neuroprotection. Our investigation revealed that the drug DAEA attenuates stress mediated through the HPA axis and regulates the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune function to improve the cognition. DAEA could be a potential lead candidate for the treatment of neurodegeneration.