Therapeutic efficacy of exosomes in streptozotocin-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease: A neurobehavioral, biochemical, and histopathological investigation

Title : Therapeutic efficacy of exosomes in streptozotocin-induced rat model of Alzheimer's disease: A neurobehavioral, biochemical, and histopathological investigation

Abstract:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cholinergic dysfunction, and neuronal loss. Current therapies are largely symptomatic. This study investigates the neuroprotective potential of enriched exosomes against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD-like pathology in rats. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of exosomes in mitigating neuronal damage in an STZ-induced rat model of AD through behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological analyses. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, STZ (3 mg/kg, ICV), STZ + Modified Exosomes (50 µg/ml) and STZ + Normal Exosomes (50 µg/ml). Exosomes were administered intranasally for 14 days starting on day 7 post-STZ. Cognitive function was assessed using Morris Water Maze, Novel Object Recognition Test and Elevated Plus Maze. Brain homogenates were analysed for oxidative stress (MDA, GSH), inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6) and neuronal cell survival. Histopathological evaluation was done using H&E and Cresyl violet staining. STZ caused significant memory impairment, oxidative damage, increased inflammation, and neuronal degeneration. Enriched exosome treatment significantly improved cognitive performance, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and preserved neuronal structure, particularly in the hippocampus. Exosomes exhibit strong neuroprotective effects by mitigating STZ-induced Alzheimer-like pathology, highlighting their potential as a therapeutic strategy for AD.

Biography:

Rishika Dhapola is a PhD Scholar in Pharmacology at the Central University of Punjab, India, working in the field of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Her research focuses on novel therapeutic strategies involving extracellular vesicles/exosomes, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and molecular signaling pathways. She has contributed to neuroscience and pharmacological research through approximately 37 publications in peer-reviewed journals, with around 2,600 citations. Her research aims to understand the complex mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases and develop innovative, multi-targeted therapeutic approaches. She is passionate about advancing translational neuroscience and contributing to the development of effective therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.