Department of Pharmacy
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Item Epigenetics in neurodegeneration: emerging biomarkers and translational insights(Elsevier, 2025-12) Taliyan, RajeevNeurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD), are characterized by progressive neuronal loss leading to cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments. Despite available interventions such as medications, physical therapy, and surgery, effective disease-modifying therapies remain elusive, with most treatments limited to symptom management. The multifactorial etiology of NDDs involves genetic, environmental, and increasingly recognized epigenetic factors that alter gene expression and drive disease onset and progression. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling play central roles in neuronal development, brain aging, and neurodegeneration. Recent advances highlight the potential of epigenetic biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools, enabling early detection, monitoring of disease progression, and evaluation of therapeutic response. Protein- and microRNA-based biomarkers in biofluids, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid, provide promising insights into disease pathology and may support precision medicine approaches. This review explores current progress in identifying and validating epigenetic biomarkers and discusses their therapeutic implications, underscoring their transformative potential for improving diagnosis and treatment strategies in NDDs.Item Novel gene therapy approaches for targeting neurodegenerative disorders: focusing on delivering neurotrophic genes(Springer, 2024-06) Taliyan, RajeevNeurodegenerative illnesses (NDDs) like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and Huntington’s disease have demonstrated considerable potential for gene therapy as a viable therapeutic intervention. NDDs are marked by the decline of neurons, resulting in changes in both behavior and pathology within the body. Strikingly, only symptomatic management is available without a cure for the NDDs. There is an unmet need for a permanent therapeutic approach. Many studies have been going on to target the newer therapeutic molecular targets for NDDs including gene-based therapy. Gene therapy has the potential to provide therapeutic benefits to a large number of patients with NDDs by offering mechanisms including neuroprotection, neuro-restoration, and rectification of pathogenic pathways. Gene therapy is a medical approach that aims to modify the biological characteristics of living cells by controlling the expression of specific genes in certain neurological disorders. Despite being the most complex and well-protected organ in the human body, there is clinical evidence to show that it is possible to specifically target the central nervous system (CNS). This provides hope for the prospective application of gene therapy in treating NDDs in the future. There are several advanced techniques available for using viral or non-viral vectors to deliver the therapeutic gene to the afflicted region. Neurotrophic factors (NTF) in the brain are crucial for the development, differentiation, and survival of neurons in the CNS, making them important in the context of various neurological illnesses. Gene delivery of NTF has the potential to be used as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurological problems in the brain. This review primarily focuses on the methodologies employed for delivering the genes of different NTFs to treat neurological disorders. These techniques are currently being explored as a viable therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases. The article exclusively addresses gene delivery approaches and does not cover additional therapy strategies for NDDs. Gene therapy offers a promising alternative treatment for NDDs by stimulating neuronal growth instead of solely relying on symptom relief from drugs and their associated adverse effects. It can serve as a long-lasting and advantageous treatment choice for the management of NDDs. The likelihood of developing NDDs increases with age as a result of neuronal degradation in the brain. Gene therapy is an optimal approach for promoting neuronal growth through the introduction of nerve growth factor genes.Item Chitinase-3-like-1: a multifaceted player in neuroinflammation and degenerative pathologies with therapeutic implications(Springer, 2025-01) Taliyan, RajeevChitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in key biological processes, including tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and neuroinflammation. It has emerged as a significant player in various neurodegenerative diseases and brain disorders. Elevated CHI3L1 levels have been observed in neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), HIV-associated dementia (HAD), Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), and brain tumors. This review explores the role of CHI3L1 in the pathogenesis of these disorders, with a focus on its contributions to neuroinflammation, immune cell infiltration, and neuronal degeneration. As a key regulator of neuroinflammation, CHI3L1 modulates microglia and astrocyte activity, driving the release of proinflammatory cytokines that exacerbate disease progression. In addition to its role in disease pathology, CHI3L1 has emerged as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of brain disorders. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of CHI3L1 have been linked to disease severity and cognitive decline, particularly in AD and MS, highlighting its potential for clinical diagnostics. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies targeting CHI3L1, such as small-molecule inhibitors and neutralizing antibodies, have shown promise in preclinical studies, demonstrating reduced neuroinflammation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and improved neuronal survival. Despite its therapeutic potential, challenges remain in developing selective and safe CHI3L1-targeted therapies, particularly in ensuring effective delivery across the blood–brain barrier and mitigating off-target effects. This review addresses the complexities of targeting CHI3L1, highlights its potential in precision medicine, and outlines future research directions aimed at unlocking its full therapeutic potential in treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain pathologies.Item Futuristic aspect of nanocarriers on targeted delivery for dementia(Elsevier, 2023) Taliyan, RajeevAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Analysis conducted over the past 20 years has shown that macromolecules accumulating in the brain known as Amyloid-β (Aβ) are fundamentally responsible for the chronic effects of the disease. Amyloid-β builds up in the brain, forming plaques, and clumps that block neuronal signaling and break down the connections between neurons. Many researchers have been looking at the involvement of tau, a protein that causes the production of “neurofibrillary tangles” in the brain, which is another signal of neuronal death. Proteolytic therapies for AD are one of the novel strategies where the proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) is selectively initiating protein degradation within the cell. In this novel approach, these techniques are small-molecule PROTACs peptide, TH006, and Neprilysin-2 (NEP-2). The traditional drug delivery technologies confront difficulties in targeting specific parts of the brain. For drug discovery and development in order to make medications more effective in the brain and to have a specific action. The first line of defense for the brain is the blood–brain barrier, which is followed by the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. These membranes are more than just barriers; they also serve as selectively permeable membranes, allowing particular molecules to invade the brain. These mechanisms all operate as impediments to effective drug delivery in the brain. As a result, improved strategies for facilitating the administration of such medications in the brain must be developed. Nanotechnology is now playing an important role in research, with a large number of nanoparticles intended to deliver drugs to specific target areas. Liposomes, dendrimers, microneedles, polymeric nanoparticles, and other nanoparticles are examples. Antibody-coated nanoparticles are a novel strategy to treating AD in the nanosystem.Item Epigenetic Regulation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Debilitates Insulin Resistance Associated Alzheimer Disease Condition in Rats(Research Square, 2021) Taliyan, RajeevInsulin resistance (IR) and accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are potential causative factor for Alzheimer Disease (AD). Simultaneously, enhanced clearance level of these oligomers through autophagy activation bring novel insights into their therapeutic paradigm. Autophagy activation is negatively correlated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and dysregulated mTOR level due to epigenetic alterations can further culminate towards AD pathogenesis. Therefore, in the current study we explored the neuroprotective efficacy of rapamycin and vorinostat in-vitro and in-vivo. Aβ1−42 treated SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to rapamycin (20µM) and vorinostat (4µM) to analyse mRNA expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neuronal growth factor (NGF), beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate, lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 and microtubule associated protein 2. In order to develop IR condition, rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 8weeks and then subjected to intracerebroventricular Aβ1−42 administration. Subsequently, their treatment was initiated with rapa (1mg/kg, i.p.) and vori (50mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 28days. Morris water maze was performed to govern cognitive impairment followed by sacrification for subsequent biochemical and histological estimations. For all the measured parameters, a significant improvement was observed amongst the combination treatment group in contrast to that of the HFD + Aβ1−42 group and that of the groups treated with the drugs alone. Outcomes of the present study thus suggest that combination therapy with rapa and vori provide a prospective therapeutic approach to ameliorate AD symptoms exacerbated by IR.Item Epigenetic regulation and autophagy modulation debilitates insulin resistance associated Alzheimer’s disease condition in rats(Springer, 2022-01) Taliyan, Rajeev; Marathe, SandhyaInsulin resistance (IR) and accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are potential causative factor for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Simultaneously, enhanced clearance level of these oligomers through autophagy activation bring novel insights into their therapeutic paradigm. Autophagy activation is negatively correlated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and dysregulated mTOR level due to epigenetic alterations can further culminate towards AD pathogenesis. Therefore, in the current study we explored the neuroprotective efficacy of rapamycin (rapa) and vorinostat (vori) in-vitro and in-vivo. Aβ1–42 treated SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to rapa (20 μM) and vori (4 μM) to analyse mRNA expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neuronal growth factor (NGF), beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3), lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) and microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2). In order to develop IR condition, rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then subjected to intracerebroventricular Aβ1–42 administration. Subsequently, their treatment was initiated with rapa (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and vori (50 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 28 days. Morris water maze was performed to govern cognitive impairment followed by sacrification for subsequent mRNA, biochemical, western blot and histological estimations. For all the measured parameters, a significant improvement was observed amongst the combination treatment group in contrast to that of the HFD + Aβ1–42 group and that of the groups treated with the drugs alone. Outcomes of the present study thus suggest that combination therapy with rapa and vori provide a prospective therapeutic approach to ameliorate AD symptoms exacerbated by IR.Item Brain insulin resistance linked Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease pathology: An undying implication of epigenetic and autophagy modulation(Springer, 2023-03) Taliyan, RajeevIn metabolic syndrome, dysregulated signalling activity of the insulin receptor pathway in the brain due to persistent insulin resistance (IR) condition in the periphery may lead to brain IR (BIR) development. BIR causes an upsurge in the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, increased amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, hyperphosphorylation of tau, aggravated formation of Aβ oligomers and simultaneously neurofibrillary tangle formation, all of which are believed to be direct contributors in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) pathology. Likewise, for Parkinson’s Disease (PD), BIR is associated with alpha-synuclein alterations, dopamine loss in brain areas which ultimately succumbs towards the appearance of classical motor symptoms corresponding to the typical PD phenotype. Modulation of the autophagy process for clearing misfolded proteins and alteration in histone proteins to alleviate disease progression in BIR-linked AD and PD have recently evolved as a research hotspot, as the majority of the autophagy-related proteins are believed to be regulated by histone posttranslational modifications. Hence, this review will provide a timely update on the possible mechanism(s) converging towards BIR induce AD and PD. Further, emphasis on the potential epigenetic regulation of autophagy that can be effectively targeted for devising a complete therapeutic cure for BIR-induced AD and PD will also be reviewed.Item Exploring the Neuroprotective Potential of Rosiglitazone Embedded Nanocarrier System on Streptozotocin Induced Mice Model of Alzheimer’s Disease(Springer, 2020-07) Taliyan, Rajeev; Chitkara, Deepak; Marathe, SandhyaAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder imposing great threat to an individual’s cognitive capability. Mounting evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD is closely associated with impaired insulin signalling and glucose metabolism in the brain. Member of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family, especially PPARγ agonists, has been well known for their insulin-sensitizing actions, but due to low water solubility, poor penetration into the brain and associated toxicity limit their use clinically. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to investigate the neuroprotective potential of rosiglitazone embedded nanocarrier system on streptozotocin (STZ) induced mice model of AD. In vitro neuroprotective efficacy of rosiglitazone was determined on SH-SY5Y cells by assessing the messenger ribonulceic acid (mRNA) expression level of genes implicated for cognitive function. AD in mice was developed by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of STZ (3 mg/kg) directly into the lateral ventricles of the mice brain. The cognitive parameters and mRNA expression levels were evaluated after treatment with the free form of rosiglitazone as well as its nano-formulated form. It was observed that rosiglitazone elicits neuroprotection on SH-SY5Y cells as evidenced from the upregulation of genes such as cyclic-AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF), which are involved in cognitive functions. Further, the nano-formulated rosiglitazone induced better neuroprotective efficacy than its free drug treatment on animal model of AD as evidenced by attenuating the behavioural and cognitive abnormalities, oxido-nitrosative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, i.e. tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6a) along with improved antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), acetylcholine, neuronal density and expression of CREB, BDNF, GDNF and NGF in the hippocampal region. Based on the results, it can be concluded that rosiglitazone nanoformulation exerts strong neuroprotection via increasing the mRNA expression of growth factors and inhibition of oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation eventually prevents neuronal injury in ADItem Neuroprotective role of Indirubin-3′-monoxime, a GSKβ inhibitor in high fat diet induced cognitive impairment in mice(Elsevier, 2014-10) Taliyan, RajeevRecent studies have highlighted that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a strong risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia is one of the main characteristics of type 2 DM. Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance contributes to AD pathogenesis. However the molecular mechanisms of association between these still remain elusive. Among the various possible mechanisms, the GSK-3β activity has been reported to be impaired in insulin-resistance, type 2 DM and AD. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the neuroprotective role of GSK3 β inhibitor, Indirubin-3′-monoxime (IMX) in insulin resistance induced cognitive impairment. Further, we have explored the possible molecular mechanism involved in cognitive impairment associated with insulin resistance. The mice subjected to high fat diet exhibited characteristic features of insulin resistance viz. increased serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin levels and impaired spatial learning and memory ability along with reduced brain insulin level, elevated oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The observed changes occurred concurrently with reduced brain derived neurotrophic factor. In contrast, the mice treated with IMX showed a significant reduction in plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin levels and improvement in learning and memory performance, attenuated the oxidative stress and AChE activity. Moreover, IMX dose dependently augment the brain insulin and BDNF levels in HFD fed mice. Based upon these findings it could be suggested that GSK3 β inhibition could prove to be beneficial in insulin resistance induced cognitive deficit and this neuroprotection could be the result of enhanced BDNF based synaptic plasticity.