Honokiol may be a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease. - GreenMedInfo Summary

The present study examined the effects of honokiol on amyloid-(A)-induced cognitive impairment and the underlying mechanisms in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. The results showed that honokiol administration (20 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneally) for 6 weeks effectively improved spatial memory deficits in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. Honokiol significantly lowered Aproduction and senile plaque deposition by downregulating-site amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme 1 and enhancing Aphagocytosis by microglia. Honokiol reduced glial cell activation and the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-, IL-1, and IL-6). Honokiol increased the transcriptional activity and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-(PPARHowever, all of the beneficial effects of honokiol on pathologic changes, including biochemistry and cognitive function, could be blocked by GW9662, a specific PPARinhibitor. These findings suggested that honokiol may be a natural PPARagonist, acting to attenuate Ageneration and neuroinflammation. Therefore, honokiol may be a potential therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.