Abstract
Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) is reported to activate NLRP3 inflammasomes and drive pyroptosis, which is subsequently involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, the pathogenesis of AD is unfortunately insufficiently elucidated. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore whether Salidroside (Sal) treatment could benefit AD by improving pyroptosis. Firstly, two animal models of AD, induced, respectively, by Aβ1-42 and D-galactose (D-gal)/AlCl3, have been created to assist our appreciation of AD pathophysiology. We then confirmed that pyroptosis is related to the pathogenesis of AD, and Sal can slow the progression of AD by inhibiting pyroptosis. Subsequently, we established the D-gal and Nigericin-induced PC12 cells injury model in vitro to verify Sal blocks pyroptosis mainly by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome. For in vivo studies, we observed that Aβ accumulation, Tau hyperphosphorylation, neurons of hippocampal damage, and cognitive dysfunction in AD mice, caused by bilateral injection of Aβ1-42 into the hippocampus and treatments with D-gal combine AlCl3. Besides, accumulated Aβ promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which leads to the activation and release of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Notably, both Aβ accumulation and hyperphosphorylation of Tau decreased and inhibited pyroptosis by downregulating the expression of IL-1β and IL-18, which can be attributed to the treatment of Sal. We further found that Sal can reverse the increased protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, P-NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, cleaved GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-18 in vitro. The underlying mechanism may be through inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. Our study highlights the importance of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in AD, and how the administration of pharmacological doses of Sal can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and ameliorate AD. Thus, we conclude that NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis plays a significant role in AD and Sal could be a therapeutic drug for AD.