Mitochondria- and Oxidative Stress-Targeting Substances in Cognitive Decline-Related Disorders: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Evidence

Figure 5

Neuroprotective effects of allopregnanolone (AP) in AD. AP has been proven to reduce Aβ aggregation-induced cell death. It exerts a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death via the improvement of the cellular and mitochondrial energy by enhancing the OXPHOS and ATP levels. AP ameliorates the mitochondrial redox environment by decreasing ROS and by improving the activity of the enzyme MnSOD. AP also has beneficial effects on bioenergetic enzymes such as PDH and αKGDH implicated in the TCA cycle. AP ameliorates cholesterol homeostasis and clearance for the biosynthesis of neurosteroids by raising the expression of PXR and LXR. AP promotes repair and renewal of neurons leading to restored cognitive performances in AD.