Cubebin Attenuates Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity Through CREB/BDNF/Caspase-3 Signaling: In Vivo and In Silico Study

• Published in: Medicina
• Main Authors: Sattam Khulaif Alenezi, Khalid Saad Alharbi, Tariq G. Alsahli, Muhammad Afzal, Reem ALQahtani, Samiyah Alshehri, Imran Kazmi, Nadeem Sayyed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
• Subjects: apoptosis; in silico; methamphetamine; neurotransmitters; neurotoxicity; oxidative stress
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/9/1567
• ISSN: 1010-660X; 1648-9144

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant known to induce neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, leading to cognitive impairment. This study aimed to explore cubebin’s potential neuroprotective effects against METH-induced cognitive deficits by investigating its ability to suppress lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammatory markers and modulate neurotransmitter levels. <i>Material and Methods:</i> A total of 30 rats were taken and randomly grouped into five groups: group I—control; group II—METH 100 mg/kg/i.p.; group III—METH + cubebin (10 mg/kg/p.o.); group IV—METH + cubebin (20 mg/kg/p.o.); and group V—cubebin per os at 20 mg/kg. After a 14-day oral regimen, behavioral activities were assessed utilizing the Morris water maze (MWM). Biochemical analysis included neurotransmitters, including dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA); nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH)); inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)]; neurotrophic factors (BDNF, CREB); and apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and caspase-9). Furthermore, molecular docking and simulation studies were conducted. <i>Results:</i> Treatment with cubebin led to a marked reduction in latency during the MWM task. It significantly modulated the oxidative stress markers (SOD, GSH, CAT, MDA, and NO), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), neurotrophic factors (CREB, BDNF), apoptotic markers (NFkB, caspase-3, caspase-9), and neurotransmitters (NE, DA, and GABA) in METH-induced memory-impaired rats. The results of molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) provided insight into the mechanisms that associate proteins CREB, BDNF, and caspase-3 in conformational dynamics upon binding to cubebin. <i>Conclusions:</i> In conclusion, cubebin administration improved cognitive function in rats by modulating antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulating neurotransmitter levels, demonstrating its potential neuroprotective effects against MA-induced neurodegeneration.