The neuroprotective efficacy of carnosine-containing nanoliposomes and S-trolox-carnosine under oxidative stress conditions in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

We investigated the protective effect of carnosine (carnosine-containing nanoliposomes and newly synthesized S-trolox-carnosine) in experiments in vivo on a model of acute hypobaric hypoxia in rodents and in vitro on neuronal cultures under oxidative stress conditions. We demonstrated the ability of new carnosine compounds to increase resistance of animals to acute hypobaric hypoxia, protecting the brain from oxidative damage. This effect is accompanied by preservation of acquired skills in the Morris water maze test, which is likely related to an increased efficiency of the brain antioxidant system. When oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide, spermine, acrolein, or cadmium in a suspension of cerebellar granule cells of the SAMP1 mouse line, a primary culture of rat cerebellar neurons, and a culture of neuronally differentiated PC-12 cells, carnosine (carnosine-containing nanoliposomes and S-trolox-carnosine) was able to inhibit generation of reactive oxygen species and reduce death of cells, enhancing the cell viability. The study results demonstrate high antihypoxic and antioxidant activities of the new carnosine compounds and open up prospects for the development and use of carnosine-based drugs in neurology.