Quinoa seed (Chenopodium quinoa W.) extract attenuates Alzheimer's disease-like neurodegeneration: Targeting the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and hippocampal neuronal loss. Targeting ferroptosis-related pathways represents a promising therapeutic strategy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of quinoa (Chenopodium Quinoa W.) seed extract in an aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)-induced rat model of AD, with a particular focus on the SLC7A11/GPX4 antioxidant axis and NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy.

METHODS

Adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): GI (Control), GII (AD), GIII (Quinoa + AD), and GIV (Alzemenda + AD). AD was induced by oral AlCl₃ administration. Quinoa extract and Alzemenda were administered concurrently with AlCl₃ throughout the experimental period. Behavioral performance was evaluated using the Morris Water Maze and Open Field Test. Oxidative stress markers, iron parameters, gene expression, and histopathological changes in the hippocampus were assessed.

RESULTS

GII exhibited significant cognitive impairment, increased lipid peroxidation, depletion of antioxidant defenses, downregulation of SLC7A11, and marked hippocampal iron deposition compared with GI. Treatment with quinoa (GIII) significantly improved learning and memory, restored GPX4 activity and GSH levels, upregulated SLC7A11 expression, and attenuated hippocampal iron deposition. GIV showed comparable behavioral and histological improvement. Systemic iron indices, as well as hippocampal FPN1 and NCOA4 expression, did not differ significantly among groups.

CONCLUSION

Quinoa seed extract exerts ameliorating effects in AlCl₃-induced AD by suppressing oxidative stress-associated neurodegeneration through preservation of the SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis rather than modulation of iron export or ferritinophagy pathways.