Purple sweet extract activates autophagy through enhanced mTOR expression in D-galactose-induced dementia rats

Abstract

The neuropathology of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is characterized by the buildup of amyloid beta peptide plaques and tau protein in the brain that causes cognitive deficits. The mammalian protein kinase target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays an essential role in controlling the balance of protein synthesis and degradation through autophagy. This study was conducted to determine the role of purple sweet potato water extract in activating autophagy through the mTOR pathway. The study used a randomized posttest-only control group design where 20 male Wistar rats were randomized into the treatment group, and the control group was then induced with d-galactose 100mg/kg BW/day for four weeks. The treatment group was given an aqueous extract of purple sweet potato at 200mg/kg BW/day while the control group was given aquabidest solution for six weeks. The independent t-test showed that the mean mTOR expression in the treatment group (30.30±4.42) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control group (16.89±2.77). Purple sweet potato extract to d-galactose-induced mice increased the autophagy process, characterized by increased mTOR expression. The research implies that the purple sweet potato extract administration can increase the autophagy process and provide neuroprotection effects in rats by d-galactose induction.