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.

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.

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