Artemisinin Alleviates Acrylamide-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Rats: The Role of PI3K/AKT Pathway | ||
Bulletin of Egyptian Society for Physiological Sciences | ||
Volume 45, Issue 4, October 2025, Pages 550-564 PDF (640.04 K) | ||
Document Type: Original Article | ||
DOI: 10.21608/besps.2025.407130.1228 | ||
Authors | ||
Reda A. A. Abo-Elsoud1; Essam Omar Ibrahem1; Eman A. Ali* 2; Aliaa S. A. Alafify3; Mahmoud El Tohamy4 | ||
1Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt. | ||
2Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt. 6 Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia National University, Menoufia, Egypt. | ||
3Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt. | ||
4Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Dakahlia, Egypt. | ||
Abstract | ||
Background: Acrylamide (ACR) is a known neurotoxin that induces peripheral neuropathy through oxidative stress and inflammation. Artemisinin (ART), a bioactive compound derived from Artemisia annua, has exhibited promising neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: Thirty-two rats were divided equally into the control, ART-only, ACR-only, and ART + ACR groups. Neurobehavioral test (hot plate latency), electrophysiological study via nerve conduction velocity (NCV), serum oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers (MDA, TAC, TNF-α, IL-10), and sciatic nerve histology were evaluated. PI3K/AKT gene expression was quantified via RT-PCR, and MBP protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically. Results: ACR administration caused marked neuropathic changes, including reduced NCV and hot plate latency, increased MDA and TNF-α, decreased TAC and IL-10, downregulation of PI3K/AKT expression, and histopathological degeneration of sciatic nerve. ART treatment significantly ameliorated all these parameters, restoring nerve structure and function and enhancing PI3K/AKT and MBP expression. Conclusion: Artemisinin exhibits protective effects against ACR-induced peripheral neuropathy, likely via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. ART may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for ACR-induced peripheral neuropathy. | ||
Keywords | ||
Peripheral neuropathy; Acrylamide; Artemisinin; PI3K/AKT pathway; MBP | ||
Statistics Article View: 49 PDF Download: 32 |