Conclusions
These observations reveal the marked neuroprotective potential of apigenin against LPS-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of NAD+ depletion and activation of SIRT3 to maintain adequate mitochondrial homeostasis and function.
Methods
Mice received apigenin (40 mg/kg; p.o) for 7 consecutive days. One hour after the last dose, LPS (12 µg/kg, icv) was administered.
Results
Apigenin robustly guarded against neuronal degenerative changes and maintained a normal count of intact neurons in mice hippocampi. Consequently, it inhibited the deleterious effect of LPS on cognitive functions. Apigenin was effective in preserving the NAD+/NADH ratio to boost mitochondrial sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), activity, and ATP production. It conserved normal mitochondrial features via induction of the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), along with mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and the fusion proteins, mitofusin 2 (MFN2), and optic atrophy-1 (OPA1). Furthermore, it increased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and parkin expression as well as the microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II/I ratio (LC3II/I) to induce degradation of unhealthy mitochondria via mitophagy. Conclusions: These observations reveal the marked neuroprotective potential of apigenin against LPS-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of NAD+ depletion and activation of SIRT3 to maintain adequate mitochondrial homeostasis and function.