Avaliação do efeito neuroprotetor de um nanomaterial associado à curcumina em modelo murino da Doença de Alzheimer

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia in the world and is characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive functions, including memory, language, attention, and planning. In addition to having a major impact on the global population, current estimates are alarming. Projections estimate an exponential increase in the coming decades, bringing major social, economic and health service impacts.Although its pathophysiology is not yet fully elucidated, it is known that neurodegeneration results from a complex interaction between genetic, environmental and biochemical factors. Among the main pathophysiological characteristics are the deposition of extracellular amyloid plaques, Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, acetylcholine deficiency, glutamatergic excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Given the limitations of current pharmacological treatments, there is growing interest in pharmacological approaches based on natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, such as curcumin, which, in addition to possessing these properties, is also low-cost and low-toxic. However, its low bioavailability compromises its clinical use, which has driven the development of alternative formulations, such as the use of functional nanomaterials. In this context, the present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of a nanomaterial associated with curcumin (NanoC) in a murine model of AD induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to the experimental model and treated with the nanomaterial, to evaluate behavioral, biochemical, and molecular parameters. The results revealed that NanoC treatment significantly reversed recognition memory deficits, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the hippocampus, improved brain redox profile and increased concentrations of the neurotrophic factor BDNF, a marker associated with synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection.These findings demonstrate robust neuroprotective effects of NanoC and reinforce its potential as an innovative and promising pharmacological strategy to expand the therapeutic arsenal in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD.