Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia in adults. Current available drugs for AD transiently alleviate some of the symptoms, but do not modify the disease mechanism or cure it. Therefore, new drugs are desperately needed. Key contributors to AD are amyloid beta (Aβ)- and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cytotoxicities. Plant-derived substances have been shown to affect various potential targets in various diseases including AD. Therefore, phytochemicals which can protect neuronal cells against these insults might help in preventing and treating this disease. In the following research, we have isolated the sesquiterpene lactone achillolide A from the plant Achillea fragrantissima and, for the first time, characterized its effects on Aβ-treated neuroblastoma cells. Aβ is a peptide derived from the sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein, and is part of the pathogenesis of AD. Our current study aimed to determine whether achillolide A can interfere with Aβ-induced processes in Neuro2a cells, and protect them from its toxicity. Our results show that achillolide A decreased Aβ-induced death and enhanced the viability of Neuro2a cells. In addition, achillolide A reduced the accumulation of Aβ-induced ROS and inhibited the phosphorylation of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase in these cells. We therefore suggest that achillolide A may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.
Keywords: Achillea fragrantissima; Achillolide A; Alzheimer’s disease; Amyloid beta; Reactive oxygen species; Sesquiterpene lactones.