BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the predominant age-related neurodegenerative condition, characterised by the gradual and irreversible loss of neurons. Key pathological features include amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which trigger a chronic inflammatory response in the brain, leading to microglial activation and proliferation.

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of diosgenin (DGN) and pterostilbene, two phytoconstituents with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in amyloid-β 1-42 exposed SH-SY5Y cells.

METHODS

Human neuroblastoma cells were cultured and neurodifferentiated with retinoic acid, then exposed to amyloid-β 1-42 to simulate the AD model. Treatments included DGN (1.5 µM), pterostilbene (PTB) (1.5 µM), their combination (0.25 µM and 0.5 µM), and donepezil (1.2 µM) as a standard drug for comparison. The effects of treatments were assessed through cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, and BDNF levels using various assays, including flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, and inhibitory assays for NOS, HO-mediated oxidative stress, DPPH, AChE, and β-secretase.

RESULTS

DGN and PTB combination indicated increased cell viability, reduced microglial activation, decreased apoptosis, and lower ROS levels, with the maximum effect observed in the combination group (0.5 µM). Combination treatments also showed maximum inhibition in various assays and reduced levels of cytokines while upregulating BDNF, highlighting their neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the combination of DGN and PTB may serve as an effective neuroinflammatory modulator in managing neurodegenerative diseases.