Herbet_2025_Behav.Brain.Res__115891

AIMS: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are characterized by progressive cognitive decline driven by pathological mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cholinergic dysfunction. The kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a critical role in these processes, making it a potential therapeutic target. Natural compounds like coumarins, including umbelliferone (UMB) and imperatorin (IMP), are gaining attention for their neuroprotective properties. BACKGROUND: Current treatments for AD predominantly address symptoms rather than underlying mechanisms, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Coumarins, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, may offer multifaceted benefits in combating AD pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of UMB and IMP on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced cognitive impairment in a rat model, focusing on their impact on KP metabolites, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and cholinergic dysfunction. METHOD: Cognitive functions were assessed using the Y-maze (Y-M), novel object recognition (NOR), and passive avoidance (PA) tests. Neurochemical analyses measured levels of tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (LKYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), the TRP/LKYN ratio, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-beta1, IFN-gamma), and activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). RESULTS: Both UMB and IMP improved cognitive performance in behavioral tests. UMB reduced oxidative stress, inhibited AChE activity, and preserved mitochondrial integrity, while IMP attenuated neuronal apoptosis, enhanced synaptic activity, and modulated cytokine levels to favor an anti-inflammatory profile. Both compounds restored KP balance, mitigating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. CONCLUSION: UMB and IMP ameliorated SCOP-induced cognitive deficits by addressing key pathological mechanisms, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cholinergic imbalance. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of coumarins as multi-targeted agents for AD, meriting further investigation for clinical application.