Anti-Parkinson Effects of <i>Holothuria leucospilota</i>-Derived Palmitic Acid in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> Model of Parkinson’s Disease

oleh: Tanatcha Sanguanphun, Sukrit Promtang, Nilubon Sornkaew, Nakorn Niamnont, Prasert Sobhon, Krai Meemon

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-02-01

Deskripsi

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease which is still incurable. Sea cucumber-derived compounds have been reported to be promising candidate drugs for treating age-related neurological disorders. The present study evaluated the beneficial effects of the <i>Holothuria leucospilota</i> (<i>H. leucospilota</i>)-derived compound 3 isolated from ethyl acetate fraction (HLEA-P3) using <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> PD models. HLEA-P3 (1 to 50 µg/mL) restored the viability of dopaminergic neurons. Surprisingly, 5 and 25 µg/mL HLEA-P3 improved dopamine-dependent behaviors, reduced oxidative stress and prolonged lifespan of PD worms induced by neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Additionally, HLEA-P3 (5 to 50 µg/mL) decreased α-synuclein aggregation. Particularly, 5 and 25 µg/mL HLEA-P3 improved locomotion, reduced lipid accumulation and extended lifespan of transgenic <i>C. elegans</i> strain NL5901. Gene expression analysis revealed that treatment with 5 and 25 µg/mL HLEA-P3 could upregulate the genes encoding antioxidant enzymes (<i>gst-4</i>, <i>gst-10</i> and <i>gcs-1</i>) and autophagic mediators (<i>bec-1</i> and <i>atg-7</i>) and downregulate the fatty acid desaturase gene (<i>fat-5</i>). These findings explained the molecular mechanism of HLEA-P3-mediated protection against PD-like pathologies. The chemical characterization elucidated that HLEA-P3 is palmitic acid. Taken together, these findings revealed the anti-Parkinson effects of <i>H. leucospilota</i>-derived palmitic acid in 6-OHDA induced- and α-synuclein-based models of PD which might be useful in nutritional therapy for treating PD.