Banaeeyeh S, Marjan Razavi B, Hosseinzadeh H. Alpha-mangostin Ameliorates Apoptosis, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Cuprizone-induced Demyelination in C57BL/6 Mice. BCN 2025; 16 (3) :569-582
URL:
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-2706-en.html
1- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
2- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
3- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. & Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Abstract:
Introduction: Alpha-mangostin (α-MG), the most abundant xanthone found in Garcinia mangostana Linn, has been reported to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of α-MG against cuprizone (CZ)-induced demyelination in the corpus callosum (CC) of mice, an established animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods: Adult female C57BL/6 mice were fed a chow containing 0.4% (w/w) CZ for 5 weeks. The animals were randomly assigned to six groups: (1) control group receiving a standard diet; (2) CZ group receiving the CZ-containing diet; (3–5) CZ diet plus α-MG at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day administered via gavage; (6) standard diet plus α-MG at 80 mg/kg/day. At the end of the treatment period, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3), and the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured in the CC.
Results: Compared with the control group, CZ-treated mice exhibited significant weight loss (P<0.0001), elevated MDA levels (P<0.01), an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, enhanced cleaved caspase-3 expression (P<0.0001), and increased TNF-α levels (P<0.001). Treatment with α-MG at 80 mg/kg significantly mitigated weight loss (P<0.01). Furthermore, α-MG at all tested doses (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) significantly reduced MDA levels (P<0.01, P<0.001, and P<0.0001, respectively). Administration of α-MG at 80 mg/kg also significantly reduced the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3 expression (P<0.0001), and TNF-α levels (P<0.0001) compared with the CZ group.
Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that α-MG attenuates the detrimental effects of CZ-induced demyelination in the CC by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
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● The effects of α-MG on the CC were investigated using a MS mouse model.
● CZ administration led to weight loss and elevated MDA levels; α-MG effectively counteracted these effects.
● α-MG exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by reducing TNF-α levels elevated by CZ.
● α-MG inhibited CZ-induced apoptosis in the CC by lowering the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved caspase-3 expression.
Plain Language Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease of the central nervous system, affecting both the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath—a protective covering around nerve fibers—leading to impaired communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Over the past decades, researchers have developed several animal models to study MS. One widely used model is the cuprizone (CZ)-induced demyelination model, where CZ, a copper-chelating agent, is administered to mice to mimic myelin damage. This model helps scientists investigate the complex biological processes involved in myelin degradation and spontaneous repair in a non-autoimmune context. Although there is currently no cure for MS, available treatments can alleviate symptos, shorten relapse durations, and potentially slow disease progression. In recent years, plant-based compounds have drawn growing scientific interest for their therapeutic potential. Alpha-mangostin (α-MG), a xanthone derivative from the mangosteen tree, has shown promising biological effects. In this study, feeding mice a diet containing 0.4% CZ for five weeks induced demyelination and increased levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the brain. Treatment with α-MG significantly reversed these harmful changes. Based on these findings, α-mangostin may serve as a supportive therapy alongside standard MS treatments.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Cellular and molecular Neuroscience Received: 2023/05/7 | Accepted: 2024/05/25 | Published: 2025/05/1