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Reason: Under embargo until July 2022. After this date a copy can be supplied under Section 51(2) of the Australian Copyright Act 1968 by submitting a document delivery request through your library

Characterisation of the neuroprotective effects of ursolic acid using the Caenorhabditis elegans model

thesis
posted on 2021-07-16, 08:30 authored by WENYUE WANG
Correct development and maintenance of neuronal architecture is required for proper brain function. In this thesis, I found a natural product, ursolic acid, exhibits remarkable neuroprotective effects. UA prevents the neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative defects in Caenorhabditis elegans. Mechanistically, the protective effects of UA against neurodegeneration act by modulating the sphingolipid metabolism to increase the production of sphingosine-1-phosphate, a neuroprotective sphingolipid. Specifically, enhanced S1P production in the intestine is essential for UA neuroprotection. Collectively, my results highlight the neuroprotective properties of UA and reveal a novel mechanism of UA neuroprotection that links intestinal sphingolipid metabolism modulation to neuronal health.

History

Principal supervisor

Roger David John Pocock

Additional supervisor 1

Zhicheng Xiao

Year of Award

2021

Department, School or Centre

Biomedical Sciences (Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute)

Additional Institution or Organisation

Anatomy and Developmental Biology

Campus location

Australia

Course

Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Type

DOCTORATE

Faculty

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences