The Mechanism of Catalpol in Alzheimer’s Disease by Modulating Mitochondrial Function Through miR-124-Mediated STIM2

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a dementia-related disease with cognitive deterioration and memory impairment. Catalpol was reported to relieve impairments in learning and memory. The present study assessed the functional mechanism of catalpol in AD via miR-124/STIM2-mediated mitochondrial function. Primary hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured. AD cell model was induced by Aβ 1−42 and treated with catalpol. APP/PS1 mouse model was established and treated with catalpol and miR-124 agomir. Aβ 1−42 induced mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in AD cell model. Catalpol alleviated mitochondrial damage and reduced ROS generation in hippocampal neurons. miR-124 was highly expressed in AD cell model and catalpol inhibited miR-124 expression. Catalpol alleviated Aβ 1−42 induced mitochondrial damage and ROS generation in hippocampal neurons by inhibiting miR-124 expression. miR-124 overexpression after catalpol treatment promoted mitochondrial damage and ROS generation in hippocampal neurons. miR-124 targeted STIM2. Silencing STIM2 after catalpol treatment promoted mitochondrial damage and ROS generation in hippocampal neurons. Catalpol slowed AD progression via the miR-124/STIM2 axis in vivo . The results of the present study indicated that catalpol alleviated mitochondrial damage and ROS generation and thus attenuated AD by regulating miR-124-mediated STIM2.