Quercetin Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Brain Tissue of APP/PS1 Double Transgenic AD Mice by Regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 Pathway to Improve Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate whether quercetin ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease (AD)–like pathology in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice and its hypothesized mechanism, contributing to the comprehension of AD pathogenesis.Methods: A total of 30 APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomized into model group (APP/PS1), quercetin group (APP/PS1+Q), and donepezil hydrochloride group (APP/PS1+DON). Simultaneously, there were 10 C57 mice of the same age served as a control group. Three months posttreatment, the effects of quercetin on AD mice were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM) test, Y maze experiment, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting.Results: Results from the water maze and Y maze indicated that quercetin significantly improved cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice. Additionally, serum enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results demonstrated that quercetin elevated MDA, superoxide dismutase (SOD), CAT, GSH, acetylcholine (ACh), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels in AD mice. Hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, and hippocampal tissue thioflavine staining revealed that quercetin reduced neuronal damage and Aβ protein accumulation in AD mice. Western blot validated protein expression in the Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/HO‐1 pathway associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis, confirming quercetin’s potential molecular mechanism of enhancing AD mouse cognition. Furthermore, western blot findings indicate that quercetin significantly alters protein expression in the Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway. Moreover, molecular docking analysis suggests that Keap1, NQO1, HO‐1, caspase‐3, Bcl‐2, and Bax proteins in the Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway may be potential regulatory targets of quercetin. These findings will provide a molecular basis for quercetin’s clinical application in AD treatment.Conclusion: Quercetin can improve cognitive impairment and AD‐like pathology in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice, potentially related to quercetin’s activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway and reduction of cell apoptosis.