Neuroprotective effect of damaurone D in a C. elegans model of Parkinson's disease

In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of damaurone D (DaD), a dihydropyranoaurone compound, on dopaminergic (DA) neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. The results showed that DaD treatment could successfully increase the survival rate of the worms under MPP+ exposure. Additionally, DaD protected against the MPP+-induced neurodegeneration in all eight DA neurons of the worms. Similarly, diminished DA neuronal damage was observed in the DaD-fed transgenic mutant overexpressing tyrosine hydroxylase. In addition, the corresponding behavioral impairment induced by MPP+ was strongly improved in the DaD treated worms, implying DaD has protective properties for DA neuronal function. Then, we further investigated the effect of DaD on alpha-synuclein aggregation, a key pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, DaD reduced the fluorescence signals of transgenic mutants that carried YFP-fused alpha-synuclein. A similar reduction in expressions of alpha-synuclein was observed by Western blot. Interestingly, our result from the dot-blot assay demonstrated that the formation of oligomers was significantly attenuated by the DaD treatment. Furthermore, DaD improved the abnormal fat storage and shortened lifespan of the animals with the same genetic background which supports the beneficial action of DaD on the alpha-synuclein-induced DA neurodegeneration. These results demonstrate that DaD could protect against both chemical- and genetic-induced DA neurodegeneration possibly through the modulation of oxidative stress, DA metabolism, and alpha-synuclein toxicity. Based on our present findings, we suggest that DaD might have a potential therapeutic role in Parkinson's disease.Y

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that DaD protected against dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by MPP+ and improved alpha-synuclein aggregation. Additionally, DaD might exert protective effects by modulating oxidative stress, dopamine metabolism, and alpha-synuclein toxicity. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic role of DaD in Parkinson's disease.