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Published on: June 9, 2017
Morin protects against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity in rats: an investigation into different signal pathways
Cihan Gur1, Fatih Mehmet Kandemir2, Ekrem Darendelioglu3
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240, Erzurum, Turkey. cihan.gur@atauni.edu.tr.
Abstract:
The presented study investigates the effects of morin against toxicity induced by acrylamide (ACR) in the brains of Sprague Dawley rats. In this study, neurotoxicity was induced by orally administering 38.27 mg/kg/b.w ACR to rats through gastric gavage for 10 days. Morin was administered at the same time and at different doses (50 and 100 mg/kg/b.w) with ACR. Biochemical and Western blot analyses showed that ACR increased malondialdehyde (MDA), p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38α MAPK), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), p53, caspase-3, bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), Beclin-1, light chain 3A (LC3A), and light chain 3B (LC3B) levels and decreased those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione (GSH), b-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) in brain tissue and therefore induced neurotoxicity by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. On the other hand, it was determined that morin positively affected the levels of these markers by displaying antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic properties and had a protective effect on ACR-induced neurotoxicity. As a result, morin is an effective substance against brain damage caused by ACR, yet further studies are needed to use it effectively.
Insights
Morin protects against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in rat brains. Further research is needed to optimize its therapeutic use.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acrylamide (ACR) is a neurotoxicant causing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in the brain.
- Morin, a natural flavonoid, has shown potential therapeutic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of morin against acrylamide-induced toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats.
Main Methods:
- Neurotoxicity was induced by oral administration of ACR (38.27 mg/kg/b.w) for 10 days.
- Rats were co-administered morin (50 and 100 mg/kg/b.w) with ACR.
- Biochemical and Western blot analyses were performed on brain tissue.
Main Results:
- ACR increased markers of oxidative stress (MDA), inflammation (p38α MAPK, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2), apoptosis (p53, caspase-3, Bax), and autophagy (Beclin-1, LC3A/B).
- ACR decreased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx), GSH, and key signaling proteins (Bcl-2, mTOR, PI3K, Akt).
- Morin administration counteracted ACR-induced changes, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects.
Conclusions:
- Morin demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against ACR-induced brain damage.
- Morin ameliorates neurotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy pathways.
- Further studies are warranted to establish optimal therapeutic strategies for morin in neuroprotection.

