Description

Noopept is a cognitive enhancer that exhibits antidiabetic properties. The original nootropic and neuroprotective medicinal drug Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester) was developed at the Institute of Pharmacology[1].

Biological activity

In vitro and in vivo studies showed that this agent normalized the balance of the pro- and antioxidant systems. Noopept prevented the accumulation of molecular LPO products and up-regulated activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes in the brain and blood. The experiments conducted on cultured human cortical neurons showed that Noopept eliminated the oxidative stress induced by adding H2O2 to cultured neurons from healthy fetuses and suppressed LPO hyperactivation in neurons of fetuses with Down’s syndrome[2].

Memory enhancement

Acute administration of noopept slightly decreased neurotrophin factor (BDNF and NGF) expression in the cortex while increasing it in the hippocampus. Chronic (28-day) administration slightly increased.

BDNF in the cortex and increased both BDFN and NGF in the hippocampus. Bel’nik et al. (2009) tested the genotype differences of noopept administration on memory in multiple mouse models (Morris Water Maze). In a model (C57BL/6J) where memory was already good at baseline, noopept administration had little effect. However, in a model (BALB/c) where memory was not as good at baseline, noopept increased memory retention. BALB/c mice are reported to have lower acetylcholine levels than C57BL mice, suggesting that the effects of noopept may be through increased acetylcholine neurotransmission[3].

Neuroprotective

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are closely linked to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, chronic systemic inflammation mediates age-related cognitive deficits, including loss of short-term memory, verbal proficiency, learning, and executive function. Noopept possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help combat oxidative damage induced by free radicals. Moreover, Noopept helps protect neurons by improving cerebral blood flow and inhibiting neurotoxicity induced by excess glutamate and calcium.

References

[1] R U Ostrovskaya. “Efficiency of noopept in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.” Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine 154 3 (2013): 334–8.

[2] Perihan Gurbuz. “Effects of noopept on ocular, pancreatic and renal histopathology in streptozotocin induced prepubertal diabetic rats.” Biotechnic &Histochemistry 98 5 (2023): 314–325.

[3] A P Bel’nik, &I I Poletaeva, &R U Ostrovskaya. “Genotype-dependent characteristics of behavior in mice in cognitive tests. The effects of Noopept.” Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology 39 1 (2009): 81–6.