Neuroprotective effects of a new triterpenoid from edible mushroom on oxidative stress and apoptosis through the BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB and Nrf2 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat is an edible mushroom which is used to produce tea and syrup due to its medicinal properties. In this study, 10 secondary metabolites (1–10), including a new lanostane triterpenoid named 2α-hydroxy-inotodiol (2α-HI, 1), were identified from the edible mushroom I. obliquus through high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) data analysis. The neuroprotective function of all steroidal metabolites in H₂O₂-induced SH-SY5Y cells was investigated. The results showed that 2α-HI exhibited the most remarkable neuroprotective activity. In the meantime, 2α-HI significantly ameliorated oxidative stress damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial damage induced by H₂O₂ in SH-SY5Y cells. The Nrf2 siRNA and inhibitors transfected the SH-SY5Y cells, indicating the Nrf2 and BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB pathway mediated the neuroprotective effects of 2α-HI against the H₂O₂-stimulated oxidative stress and apoptosis. Moreover, the neuroprotection of 2α-HI was preliminarily verified in zebrafish. In conclusion, this research was the first to confirm that 2α-HI could effectively protect SH-SY5Y cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis via the Nrf2 and BDNF/TrkB/ERK/CREB signaling pathway. Hence, this mushroom could be a potential dietary supplement to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases.