The study was aimed at analyzing the protective effects of
gintonin in an
amyloid beta- (Aβ-) induced
Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. For the development of the Aβ-induced AD mouse model, the
amyloid-β (Aβ 1-42)
peptide was stereotaxically injected into the brains of mice. Subsequently,
gintonin was administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day/per oral (p.o) for four weeks daily, and its effects were evaluated by using western blotting, fluorescence analysis of brain sections, biochemical tests, and memory-related behavioral evaluations. To elucidate the effects of
gintonin at the mechanistic level, the activation of
endogenous antioxidant mechanisms, as well as the activation of astrocytes, microglia, and proinflammatory mediators such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF-2) and
heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), was evaluated. In addition, microglial cells (BV-2 cells) were used to analyze the effects of
gintonin on microglial activation and signaling mechanisms. Collectively, the results suggested that
gintonin reduced elevated oxidative stress by improving the expression of NRF-2 and HO-1 and thereby reducing the generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Moreover,
gintonin significantly suppressed activated microglial cells and inflammatory mediators in the brains of Aβ-injected mice. Our findings also indicated improved synaptic and memory functions in the brains of Aβ-injected mice
after treatment with
gintonin. These results suggest that
gintonin may be effective for relieving AD symptoms by regulating oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in a mouse model of AD. Collectively, the findings of this preclinical study highlight and endorse the potential, multitargeted protective effects of
gintonin against AD-associated oxidative damage,
neuroinflammation,
cognitive impairment, and neurodegeneration.