Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Carnosol ameliorates sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in aged rats by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome via activation of autophagy

Simin Zheng¹, Siyuan Li², Hongtao Liu¹, Yunpeng Teng², Ying Liu¹, Hongfei Xiong²

¹Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710004, China; ²Department of Anesthesia and Comfort Health Center, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710019, China.

For correspondence:- Hongfei Xiong Email: drxhf4320@163.com Tel:+8618502904320

Accepted: 29 October 2023 Published: 30 November 2023

Citation: Zheng S, Li S, Liu H, Teng Y, Liu Y, Xiong H. Carnosol ameliorates sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment in aged rats by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome via activation of autophagy. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(11):2281-2286 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i11.6

© 2023 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of carnosol on the progression of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Methods: A cognitive impairment model rat induced by sevoflurane (SEV) was established. Dihydroethidium (DHE) assay was conducted to determine the effect of carnosol on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in sevoflurane-induced rats. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and immunoblot assays were used to assess carnosol effect on mitochondrial damage, while water maze experiment was performed to evaluate cognitive dysfunction in the rats. The mechanism of action was investigated using immunoblot assay.

Results: Carnosol suppressed sevoflurane-induced ROS production in the rats, and alleviated sevoflurane-induced mitochondrial damage; it also activated autophagy. Furthermore, carnosol suppressed SEV-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation by activating autophagy and suppressing SEV-induced cognitive dysfunction via the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Conclusion: Carnosol ameliorates SEV-stimulated cognitive impairment by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome and thus, can potentially be developed serve as a therapeutic agent for the management of cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Carnosol, Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), Sevoflurane (SEV), NLRP3 inflammasome, Autophagy