Silk fibroin hydrolysate improves memory impairment via multi-target function

Abstract

Previously we have reported a specific hydrolysate form of silk fibroin named SFH and in vitro beneficial effects of SFH on neuron, however, evidence in vivo for the specific neuroprotective function of SFH on AD is urgently needed and our understanding for mechanism underlying SFH function is far from completion. In this study, we report here the amelioration of neurodegenerative changes in Aβ25-35-induced rat models of AD by SFH. We found that SFH in vivo significantly attenuated impairment of spatial learning and memory, prevented neuronal damages and decreased multisite tau hyperphosphorylation induced by Aβ25-35. In vivo and in vitro results also further indicated that the beneficial effect of SFH on AD may be due to its interference with microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. SFH can inhibit abnormal activation of microglial and expressions of proinflammatory mediators in Aβ25-35-induced rat and rat primary microglia models can be inhibited by SFH via MAPKs /NF-κB signaling pathway.

Keywords

• Silk fibroin hydrolysate
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Neuroinflammation
• MAPKs /NF-κB signaling pathway
• Neuroprotection