Caffeic acid phenethyl ester reversed cadmium-induced cell death in hippocampus and cortex and subsequent cognitive disorders in mice: Involvements of AMPK/SIRT1 pathway and amyloid-tau-neuroinflammation axis

Exposure to nonbiodegradable cadmium (Cd) causes many health problems including the damage to the nervous system. This study aimed to increase knowledge about its neurotoxic effects and the neuroprotective potential of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, a polyphenol abundant in honeybee propolis). In mice, CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day body weight) attenuated significantly learning and memory deficits induced by CdCl 2 (1.5 mg/kg/day body weight). For the CdCl 2 -treated mice, CAPE increased crossing number in open field test, decreased the alternation in Y-maze test, and increased the latency time and error number in step down test. CAPE also inhibited CdCl 2 -initiated Aβ accumulation and activation of pro-inflammatory factors and microglia in the brains. Therefore, CAPE could be a food-derived neuroprotective agent against Cd-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative disorders, through attenuating neuronal apoptosis and neuroinflammation via the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway and amyloid-tau-neuroinflammation axis.