Vijayanand_2024_Mol.Biol.Rep_51_990

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress, a condition characterized by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), can cause significant damage to cellular macromolecules, leading to neurodegeneration. This underscores the need for effective antioxidant therapies that can mitigate oxidative stress and its associated neurodegenerative effects. KC14 peptide derived from liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 A (LEAP 2 A) from Cyprinus carpio L. has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent. This study focuses on the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of the KC14 peptide is to evaluate its effectiveness against oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. METHODS: The antioxidant capabilities of KC14 were initially assessed through in silico docking studies, which predicted its potential to interact with oxidative stress-related targets. Subsequently, the peptide was tested at concentrations ranging from 5 to 45 microM in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vivo studies involved treating H(2)O(2)-induced zebrafish larvae with KC14 peptide to analyze its effects on oxidative stress and neuroprotection. RESULTS: KC14 peptide showed a protective effect against the developmental malformations caused by H(2)O(2) stress, restored antioxidant enzyme activity, reduced neuronal damage, and lowered lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in H(2)O(2)-induced larvae. It enhanced acetylcholinesterase activity and significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels (p < 0.05) dose-dependently. Gene expression studies showed up-regulation of antioxidant genes with KC14 treatment under H(2)O(2) stress. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potent antioxidant activity of KC14 and its ability to confer neuroprotection against oxidative stress can provide a novel therapeutic agent for combating neurodegenerative diseases induced by oxidative stress.