Neuroprotective effects of glucotropaeolin as the major glucosinolate of cress seed on cuprizone-induced mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by inflammation and myelin damage. Glucosinolates, present in Lepidium sativum L. (garden cress) seeds (LSS), exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of glucosinolate-rich and volatile fractions from LSS in a MS mouse model. C57BL/6 male mice were divided into seven groups: Normal, cuprizone (0.4% diet for 8 weeks), positive control (dimethyl fumarate), and groups receiving LSS glucosinolate (1, 10 mg/kg, oral) and volatile fractions (1, 10 mg/kg, subcutaneous) daily for 21 days. Behavioral, histopathological and gene expression analysis were performed. LSS glucosinolate fraction contained glucotropaeolin as the major constituent, and the volatile fraction confirmed presence of benzyl isothiocyanate. Behavioral tests demonstrated symptom improvement, and histopathological analysis revealed enhanced remyelination. Additionally, the expression of myelination-related gene, Olig2, showed significant changes. LSS fractions promote neuroprotection in MS via remyelination, with minimal impact on Nrf2 and Nf-κB pathways.