Protective Role of Holothuria leucospilota Extract Against Amyloid-β Toxicity via Autophagy and Antioxidant Mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans Model.

Authors

Chanathip Kamonnat, Salinthip Thongdechsri, Pichnaree Kraokaew, Nakorn Niamnont, Prasert Sobhon, Krai Meemon

Published in

Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. Volume 2026. Issue 1. Pages e1471919.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major global health challenge characterized by cognitive decline and neuronal degeneration driven by amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and oxidative stress. Given the limited efficacy and adverse effects of current pharmacological therapies, food-derived bioactive compounds have gained increasing attention as potential preventive strategies against neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Holothuria leucospilota extracts using a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model of AD. Our results demonstrated that H. leucospilota hexane extract (HLHE) at 500 µg/mL significantly delayed Aβ-induced paralysis and improved chemotaxis behavior. Consistently, HLHE treatment reduced Aβ deposition and decreased both high- and low-molecular weights of Aβ oligomers, as determined by automated Western blot analysis. Additionally, HLHE also reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analyses revealed that HLHE enhanced autophagic activity through the upregulation of bec-1 (autophagy initiation) and lysosomal genes (cpr-1, cpr-2, and cpr-5). Furthermore, HLHE activated antioxidant defense pathways via the insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) axis, specifically upregulating genes associated with SKN-1 pathway (pmk-1, skn-1, gst-4, and gst-10) and HSF-1 pathway (hsf-1, hsp-16.1, hsp-12.6, and mtl-1). HLHE also promoted nuclear localization of SKN-1 and increased expression of its downstream target gst-4. Chemical analysis revealed that HLHE contained arachidonic acid (21.12%) and other bioactive lipid compounds as major constituents, suggesting a synergistic role in promoting autophagy and antioxidant responses. Collectively, this study suggests that HLHE confers neuroprotection against Aβ-induced toxicity by activating autophagy and oxidative stress defense mechanisms, supporting its potential development as a food-derived preventive or therapeutic agent for AD.

PMID:
42865340
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Oct 2026.

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