The therapeutic potential of reduced graphene oxide in attenuating cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice

Nanotechnology. 2024 Oct 21;36(2). doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/ad857e.

Abstract

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has unique physicochemical properties that make it suitable for therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative scenarios. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of rGO in a cuprizone-induced demyelination model in mice through histomorphological techniques and analysis of biochemical parameters. We demonstrate that daily intraperitoneal administration of rGO (1 mg ml-1) for 21 days tends to reduce demyelination in theCorpus callosumby decreasing glial cell recruitment during the repair mechanism. Additionally, rGO interferes with oxidative stress markers in the brain and liver indicating potential neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. No significant damage to vital organs was observed, suggesting that multiple doses could be used safely. However, further long-term investigations are needed to understand rGO distribution, metabolism, routes of action and associated challenges in central neurodegenerative therapies. Overall, these findings contribute to the comprehension of rGO effectsin vivo, paving the way for possible future clinical research.

Keywords: cuprizone; demyelination; nanomaterial; neurodegenerative disease; reduced graphene oxide.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Corpus Callosum / drug effects
  • Corpus Callosum / metabolism
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology
  • Cuprizone*
  • Demyelinating Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Demyelinating Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Demyelinating Diseases* / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Graphite* / chemistry
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress* / drug effects

Substances

  • Graphite
  • Cuprizone
  • graphene oxide
  • Neuroprotective Agents