Synergistic Effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG in the Prevention of Physiological Brain Aging

Sergio      Davinelli; Roberto      Di Marco; Renata      Bracale; Alessandro      Quattrone; Davide      Zella; Giovanni      Scapagnini

Abstract

The benefits of multi-target action are well established in a variety of pathological models. Many dietary supplements and nutraceuticals may be useful to slow age-related cognitive declines and the risk of developing neurodegenerative disease. L-Carnosine and EGCG are natural compounds that have received particular attention because of their potential role in modulating oxidative stress associated with aging and chronic conditions. The biological activities of these naturally occurring substances have frequently been used to prevent or reduce senile features; however they have never been evaluated as a combined treatment. In the present study we investigated the combined effect of L-Carnosine and EGCG on the activation of two stress-responsive pathways: HO-1 and Hsp72 (the inducible form of Hsp70), which play an important role in cytoprotection against oxidative stress-induced cell damage. We demonstrated that the neuroprotective effects of EGCG and L-Carnosine are achieved through the modulation of HO-1/Hsp72 systems. Furthermore, the combined action of both compounds resulted in a synergistic increase of HO-1 expression which suggests a crosstalk between the HO-1 and the Hsp72-mediated pathways. Our results indicate that the combined administration of EGCG and L-Carnosine would benefit the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases by reducing the neuronal damage caused by oxidative stress.

Keywords: Oxidative stress, synergy, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, heme oxygenase-1, heat shock protein, aging, neuroprotection