Morin exerts protective effects on encephalopathy and sepsis-associated cognitive functions in a murine sepsis model

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) often leads to cognitive impairments in the rest life of septic survivors. The potential pathological changes of SAE are complicated and have not been fully understood. Morin, a flavone compound exhibiting neuroprotective activity and anti-inflammation effect, was employed to treat with CLP-induced septic mice in our study. The data from a novel object recognition WA and tail suspension WA indicated that morin treatment reversed cognitive dysfunction and relieved depressive-like behaviors in septic mice. Morin down-regulated the expressions of IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-alpha and IL-10 in serum and diminished microglia activation in septic mice. Additionally, Western blot results showed that morin reduced the phosphokinase GSK3 beta activity and elevated the phosphatase PP2A activity, which led to lower tau phosphorylation. Morin reduced A beta deposition and protected the synapse integrity, which might be the possible mechanism of protecting cognitive functions in septic mice. In conclusion, we identified that morin exerted anti-inflammation and anti-neurodegeneration effects in septic mice, and prevented further cognitive impairments.