Curcuma wenyujin extract alleviates cognitive deficits and restrains pyroptosis through PINK1/Parkin mediated autophagy in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Pyroptosis and mitophagy have gained significant attention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. Curcumae Radix (CR), the dried radix of Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extensively utilized for neurological disorders. Yet, its impact and mechanistic role in AD remain unclear.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the active fraction of CR in AD treatment and its potential mechanisms.

Methods: CR extracts were qualitatively analyzed using UHPLC-Triple-TOF/MS. Aβ-induced mice received daily intragastric drug treatments for three weeks. Cognitive abilities of AD model mice were assessed through Y maze, novel object recognition, and eight-arm maze tests. Therapeutic targets of CR extracts were identified using quantitative proteomics. In both in vivo and in vitro settings, effects on pyroptosis and mitophagy were examined by Western blot (WB), immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and ELISA assays.

Results: The ethyl acetate (EAC) fraction of CR extract exhibited optimal anti-AD effects. CR extracts enhanced memory and cognition in Aβ-induced mice, improved neuronal morphology, and reduced Aβ accumulation in the brain. Proteomics analysis suggested the anti-AD properties of CR might involve inflammation reduction, cell survival enhancement, and mitophagy modulation. CR treatments in both AD mice and Aβ-induced SH-SY5Y cells resulted in reduced pyroptosis, increased LC3 and Beclin1 levels, and activation of the PINK1/Parkin pathway.

Conclusion: The EAC fraction of CR is effective in AD treatment by mitigating pyroptosis, reducing neuroinflammation, and promoting mitophagy, actions facilitated through the PINK1/Parkin pathway.