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Safflower leaf ameliorates cognitive impairment through moderating excessive astrocyte activation in APP/PS1 mice
Tiantian Zhang1, Shuangxi Zhang1, Yunhua Peng1
1Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, Shaanxi, China. jglong@xjtu.edu.cn.
Safflower leaf powder (SLP) improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and beta-amyloid plaques. This suggests SLP may be a beneficial food for preventing and alleviating AD-related dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology involves beta-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation, oxidative stress, and astrocyte activation.
- Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) leaf is a nutrient-rich vegetable with potential therapeutic properties.
- The neuroprotective effects of safflower leaf powder (SLP) in AD models are largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of dietary SLP in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.
- To determine if SLP ameliorates cognitive impairment and AD-related pathological hallmarks.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of SLP to APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
- Assessment of cognitive function using the water maze test.
- Evaluation of inflammation, oxidative stress, astrocyte activation, and beta-amyloid burden.
Main Results:
- SLP administration significantly improved cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice.
- SLP treatment reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and astrocyte activation.
- SLP decreased beta-amyloid burden by modulating astrocyte activation.
Conclusions:
- Safflower leaf powder demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects against AD progression in a mouse model.
- SLP ameliorates key pathological features of AD, including cognitive decline and beta-amyloid accumulation.
- Dietary safflower leaf shows promise as a cognitive-enhancing food for preventing and alleviating Alzheimer's disease dementia.
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