Neuroprotective effect of astragalin via activating PI3K/Akt-mTOR-mediated autophagy on APP/PS1 mice

As a small molecule flavonoid, astragalin (AST) has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidation effects. However, the impact and molecular mechanism of AST in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are still not clear. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of AST on APP/PS1 mice and Aβ25-35-injured HT22 cells. In this study, we found that AST ameliorated cognitive dysfunction, reduced hippocampal neuronal damage and loss, and Aβ pathology in APP/PS1 mice. Subsequently, AST activated autophagy and up-regulated the levels of autophagic flux-related protein in APP/PS1 mice and Aβ25-35-induced injury in HT22 cells. Interestingly, AST down-regulated the phosphorylation level of PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway-related proteins, which was reversed by autophagy inhibitors 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) or Bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1). At the same time, consistent with the impacts of Akt inhibitor MK2206 and mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, inhibited levels of autophagy in Aβ25-35-injured HT22 cells were activated by the administration of AST. Taken together, these results suggested that AST played key neuroprotective roles on AD via stimulating PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway-mediated autophagy and autophagic flux. This study revealed a new mechanism of autophagy regulation behind the neuroprotection impact of AST for AD treatment.