REVIEW ON THE SYNTHESIS OF ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID AND ITS THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF DEMENTIA

Abstract

LA or (±)-α-Lipoic acid (6,8-thioctic acid, 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoic acid) (LA) is a heterocyclic thia fatty
acid consisting of pentanoic acid and a 1,2-dithiolan-3-yl group at the 5-position. LA is an amphiphilic pharmacophore
with excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects attested by numerous studies for its potential
utility in both the treatment and diverse forms of prophylaxis of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s
disease. This article aims to assess the differences in neuroprotective effect after short-term (11 days) and longterm
(51 days) LA administration in an experimental rat model of scopolamine-induced dementia by correlating
biochemical data on acetylcholinesterase activity with behavioural data. Behaviourally appraised changes in learning
and memory appear to correlate with biochemical changes in AChE activity. The neuroprotective effect of LA, as
ascertained by its beneficial effects on learning and memory in a scopolamine animal model, appears to be associated
with cholinergic mechanisms (a decrease in AChE activity), and to be larger after short-term administration rather
than long-term administration. These results further underscore the candidacy of LA as a viable drug candidate
suitable for continued investigation and derivate synthesis endeavours.