Sarsasapogenin ameliorates Alzheimer's disease by dual inhibition of RIPK1-mediated necroptosis and pyroptosis.

Abstract

Sarsasapogenin (Sar), a natural bioactive steroidal saponin derived from Anemarrhena asphodeloides, has demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its specific mechanism of action, particularly in modulating receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)-mediated necroptosis and pyroptosis, remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate Sar's therapeutic potential in AD by targeting RIPK1, a central regulator of programmed cell death. We employed biolayer interferometry (BLI), cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA), and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) to confirm the binding of Sar to RIPK1. In vitro, we assessed the effects of Sar on RIPK1 activation, necroptosis, and pyroptosis in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and BV2 microglial cells using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and cytokine assays. In vivo, the therapeutic efficacy of Sar was evaluated in the 5 × FAD transgenic mouse model, with behavioral analysis (Morris water maze) and histological assessments of brain tissue pathology. Sar demonstrated robust binding to RIPK1 (K = 435 nM), enhancing its thermal stability and resistance to proteolytic degradation. Treatment with Sar significantly inhibited RIPK1 phosphorylation and downstream necroptotic and pyroptotic signaling in neurons and microglia. In the 5 × FAD mouse model, Sar markedly improved spatial memory performance, reduced amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque deposition, and decreased neuroinflammatory and necroptotic markers in both the cortex and hippocampus. Sar is a promising natural RIPK1 inhibitor capable of concurrently mitigating both necroptosis and pyroptosis-two critical pathological processes underlying AD. These findings suggest that Sar may serve as a novel disease-modifying therapeutic for AD by regulating multiple pathways involved in neurodegeneration, offering new insights into the potential of natural products in AD treatment.