Liensinine improves cognitive dysfunction behavior via restoring neurotransmitters and microbial remodeling pathway

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Cognitive dysfunction (CD) significantly impairs cognitive abilities.
• Liensinine shows potential in alleviating dementia-related cognitive impairments, but mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanism of liensinine in treating cognitive dysfunction.
• To explore the effects of liensinine on gut microbiota and metabolites in CD models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a mouse model of cognitive dysfunction.
• Administered liensinine and assessed cognitive behaviors.
• Analyzed changes in Aβ and Tau protein levels, neurotransmitters.
• Performed metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing on fecal samples.

Main Results:

• Liensinine improved cognitive performance in CD mice, decreasing escape latency and increasing target quadrant exploration.
• Reduced levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau proteins, with increased neurotransmitter levels observed.
• Significant alterations in fecal metabolites, including increased carnitine compounds and decreased 4-hydroxyquinoline, dihydroceramide, and indole-3-carboxaldehyde.
• Liensinine promoted beneficial gut bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia) and reduced harmful bacteria (Helicobacter, Enterorhabdus).

Conclusions:

• Liensinine ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in mice.
• The therapeutic effect of liensinine is associated with the modulation of intestinal flora and metabolic function.
• Findings suggest liensinine as a potential therapeutic agent for cognitive dysfunction through gut-brain axis modulation.