Arbutin as a therapeutic candidate for autism: Current evidence and mechanistic insights into PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Arbutin is a natural glycoside with neuroprotective properties.
• Neurological conditions like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involve mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
• Existing research indicates a need for further exploration of arbutin's therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the scientific properties of arbutin in the context of neurological disorders.
• To investigate arbutin's potential role in modulating pathways implicated in ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
• To assess arbutin as a therapeutic candidate for restoring neuronal homeostasis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature on arbutin's molecular mechanisms.
• Analysis of arbutin's effects on PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Nrf2 signaling pathways.
• Examination of arbutin's impact on oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and neuroinflammation markers.

Main Results:

• Arbutin regulates mitochondrial function, controls apoptotic proteins, and lowers oxidative stress.
• It enhances behavioral and cognitive outcomes by activating antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, HO-1, NQO1) via Nrf2.
• Arbutin reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) by inhibiting NF-κB, and increases Akt phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

• Arbutin shows potential therapeutic relevance for ASD and associated neurological diseases due to its combined molecular actions.
• It may preserve neuronal homeostasis, inhibit apoptosis, and decrease ROS-induced neuronal damage.
• Direct experimental and clinical evidence for arbutin's role in ASD is currently limited, warranting further investigation.