RT Journal Article
T1 Achyrocline satureioides: in silico and in vivo evaluation of the potential neuroprotective effect of the aqueous extract
A1 Alves Santos, Péterson
A1 Pflüger, Pricila Fernandes
A1 Rott, Marilise Brittes
A1 Gómez Couso, Hipólito
A1 Rodrigues, Ionara
A1 Pereira, Patricia
A1 Fontenla Gil, José Ángel
K1 Traditional medicine
K1 Neurodegenerative diseases, in silico
K1 Caenorhabditis elegans
K1 Achyrocline satureioides
AB Ethnopharmacological relevanceAchyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC is traditionally used as an infusion in several South American countries to treat various health conditions, including those affecting the central nervous system. Recent studies indicate its potential neuroprotective effects and suggest possible benefits in alleviating neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients. However, its direct impact on the central nervous system remains underexplored.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to assess the Achyrocline satureioides effects infusion on dopaminergic and cholinergic neurodegeneration patterns induced by reserpine or manganese in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), and to perform in silico analysis of the primary bioactive compounds in the Achyrocline satureioides aqueous extract (ASAE).Materials and methodsUsing C. elegans as an experimental model, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the aqueous extract of Achyrocline satureioides on dopaminergic and/or cholinergic neurodegeneration induced by reserpine or manganese. Behavioral assays evaluated the preservation of motor function and pharyngeal pumping in nematodes. In addition, in silico studies were performed with the bioactive compounds identified in the extract and compared with drugs currently used for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.ResultsIn the studies with C. elegans, neurodegeneration induced by reserpine (60 μM) was attenuated at the highest extract concentration (25 mg/ml) tested. Additionally, animals previously exposed to the extract exhibited improved behavior at both concentrations (10 and 25 mg/ml). When neurodegeneration was induced by manganese (50 mM), both concentrations of the ASAE reduced neurodegeneration and improved behavior. In silico studies evaluated the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) properties and molecular docking of identified compounds against established targets associated with neurodegenerative diseases.ConclusionsThe Achyrocline satureioides bioactive compounds appear to influence pathways targeted by current therapies for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The aqueous extract demonstrated promising neuroprotective potential and modulation of the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems, reducing neurodegenerative damage and enhancing behavior.
PB Elsevier
SN 0378-8741
YR 2025
FD 2025-07-31
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43859
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43859
LA eng
NO Santos, P. A., Pflüger, P.F., Rott, M. B., Gómez-Couso, H., Rodrigues, I., Pereira, P., & Fontenla, J. Á. (2025). Achyrocline satureioides: in silico and in vivo evaluation of the potential neuroprotective effect of the aqueous extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 353, 120335. 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120335
NO This work was supported by Coordenaçâo de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (number 88887.506777/2020–00); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) fellowships (PhD. Patrícia Pereira; PhD. Ionara Rodrigues Siqueira; PhD. Marilise Brittes Rott) (Brazil). Resources, infrastructure and equipment from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) have been used.
DS Minerva
RD 28 abr 2026