A novel ferroptosis inhibitor, Thonningianin A, improves Alzheimer's disease by activating GPX4

Ferroptosis, a recently unveiled iron-dependent form of cellular demise, has emerged as a pivotal process contributing to the pathology of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a vital defense mechanism countering ferroptosis by nullifying lipid peroxides and maintaining cellular redox equilibrium, has garnered significant attention in AD. Thus, identifying ferroptosis inhibitors to target GPX4 activation may help mitigate neuronal damage and impede AD progression. Objectives: We aimed to screen potent ferroptosis inhibitors and investigate their mechanism of action and therapeutic potential in AD, as well as lay the groundwork for future research in this promising area of study.

ThA ameliorates AD by inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis mediated by GPX4 activation through its binding with GPX4 and the upregulation of the AMPK/Nrf2/GPX4 pathway.

This study employed a natural compound library to screen potential ferroptosis inhibitors in RAS-selective lethal compounds 3 (RSL-3)-induced PC-12 cells. Ferroptosis was evaluated by examining the mitochondrial morphology and function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and lipid peroxide levels. The ability to chelate iron and intracellular iron levels was determined by UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS and PGSK staining, respectively. APP Swe/ind- or Tau P301L-overexpressing PC-12 cells, and Amyloid-β transgenic CL4176 and Tau transgenic BR5270 Caenorhabditis elegans were employed as cellular and animal models of AD.

Thonningianin A (ThA) was identified as a novel ferroptosis inhibitor, as demonstrated by augmented cellular viability, mitigated mitochondrial impairment, diminished lipid peroxides, iron levels, and ROS generation. Mechanistically, ThA binds with GPX4 and enhances the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway to stimulate GPX4 activation, effectively inhibiting ferroptosis. Moreover, in cellular and Caenorhabditis elegans AD models, ThA substantially inhibits ferroptosis by reducing ROS, lipid peroxide generation, and iron accumulation. Furthermore, ThA significantly delays paralysis, ameliorates food-sensing deficits and increases worms' antioxidative capacity.