Salvianolic acid a inhibits neuroinflammation and ameliorates Alzheimer's disease pathology via the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive cognitive impairments and a scarcity of effective treatments. Salvianolic acid A (SalA), a natural phytochemical endowed with antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, emerges as a promising therapeutic candidate for AD. This study explored the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of SalA in mitigating AD-related pathologies. Through integrative network pharmacology, molecular docking, and pathway enrichment analysis, p38 MAPK and NF-κB were identified as potential targets of SalA in the context of AD. SalA treatment inhibited the activation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway via targeting p38 MAPK, leading to decreased levels of IL-1α and IL-1β in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HMC3 cells. In an in vivo 3 × Tg-AD mouse model, SalA administration ameliorated cognitive decline associated with AD, decreased Tau Protein hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus and cortex, and reduced Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) levels. Furthermore, SalA attenuated the activation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway and the expression of related inflammatory cytokines in the brains of 3 × Tg-AD mice. In conclusion, this study elucidates the promising ameliorative effects of SalA on improving AD pathology, primarily through the modulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.