The Neurotrophic-Like Effect of Carvacrol: Perspective for Axonal and Synaptic Regeneration.
Flávia Malvestio SistiNeife Aparecida Guinaim Dos SantosLilian do AmaralAntonio Cardozo Dos SantosPublished in: Neurotoxicity research (2021)
Carvacrol (CARV) is a phytochemical widely used as flavoring, preservative, and fragrance in food and cosmetic industries. CARV is able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has demonstrated protective potential against neurodegenerative diseases by several mechanisms, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase, and antiapoptotic effects. However, it is not known whether CARV is able to modulate axonal and synaptic plasticity, crucial events in cognition, memory, and learning. Abnormalities in axonal and synaptic plasticity, low levels of neurotrophins, and bioenergetic failure have been associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's diseases (ADs). Small lipophilic molecules with neurotrophic activity might be able to restore the axonal and synaptic networks that are lost in neurodegenerative processes. Therefore, this study investigated the neurotrophic potential of CARV in PC12 cell-based neuronal model. Carvacrol induced neurite outgrowth by activating the NGF high-affinity trkA receptor and the downstream PI3K-AKT and MAPK-ERK pathways, without depending on NGF. In addition, CARV increased the expression of proteins involved in neuronal plasticity (β-tubulin III, F-actin, 200-kDa neurofilament, GAP-43 and synapsin-I) and improved bioenergetics (AMPKα, p-AMPKα, and ATP). Our study showed, for the first time, a promising neurotrophic mechanism of CARV that could be beneficial in neurodegenerative and neurological diseases.
Keyphrases
- pi k akt
- signaling pathway
- spinal cord injury
- anti inflammatory
- cell proliferation
- stem cells
- skeletal muscle
- poor prognosis
- cell cycle arrest
- human health
- oxidative stress
- single cell
- growth factor
- optic nerve
- blood brain barrier
- cell therapy
- working memory
- climate change
- high glucose
- multiple sclerosis
- risk assessment
- mild cognitive impairment
- bone marrow
- diabetic rats
- endothelial cells
- heat shock protein
- atomic force microscopy