Cucurbitacin E reduces the cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane in rats by regulating NF-κB pathway

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) are common, especially in elderly patients, affecting learning, memory, and emotions.
• Cucurbitacin E exhibits anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Investigating Cucurbitacin E's potential to mitigate sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in rats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if Cucurbitacin E can alleviate cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane in a rat model.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms, including neuroinflammation and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

• Rats were divided into control, sevoflurane, and sevoflurane + Cucurbitacin E groups.
• Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test.
• Brain injury, apoptosis, and protein/cytokine levels (S-100β, NSE, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10) were analyzed via HE staining, TUNEL, ELISA, and Western blotting.

Main Results:

• Cucurbitacin E treatment reduced sevoflurane-induced brain injury and levels of S-100β and NSE.
• Cognitive impairment in the Morris water maze test was attenuated by Cucurbitacin E.
• Cucurbitacin E reversed sevoflurane-induced changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and inhibited neuron apoptosis and the NF-κB pathway.

Conclusions:

• Cucurbitacin E effectively improves sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats.
• The protective effects are mediated through the regulation of the NF-κB pathway and reduction of neuroinflammation and apoptosis.
• Cucurbitacin E presents a potential therapeutic strategy for treating perioperative neurocognitive disorders.