Arctigenin attenuated spatial memory impairment in pR5 mice by regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism.

This article investigates the effects of arctigenin (ATG), a natural compound derived from Arctium lappa, on spatial memory impairment in pR5 transgenic mice, a model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study demonstrates that 90-day oral administration of ATG significantly improves learning and memory abilities, inhibits tau protein hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus, and reduces neuroinflammation in the cortex. Proteomic analyses reveal that ATG modulates mitochondrial energy metabolism by upregulating proteins involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the electron transport chain, leading to increased ATP production and mitochondrial DNA content. These findings suggest that ATG may alleviate AD-related cognitive deficits by enhancing mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, positioning it as a potential therapeutic agent targeting metabolic dysfunction in AD.