Angiostrongylus cantonensis triggers eosinophilic meningitis and/or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans, potentially causing permanent central nervous system damage. While corticosteroids may ease infection-induced headaches, they prove ineffective against A. cantonensis larvae or neuronal injuries. Conversely, anthelmintics and neuroprotective agents like 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), activating BDNF/TrkB signaling, offer promise. This study aimed to assess neural structure, brain function impairment and recovery, and pathological symptoms and cell death in A. cantonensis-infected C57BL/6 mice before and after treatment with 7,8-DHF or Albendazole alone, and in combination with 7,8-DHF/Albendazole. All treatment groups effectively mitigated infection-induced weight loss in mice. Those receiving 7,8-DHF or combined treatment displayed significant improvements in motor and balance abilities during the rotarod test. Post-treatment, infected mice showed enhanced spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test. Golgi staining revealed that strategies involving 7,8-DHF reduced infection-induced synaptic loss. A. cantonensis infection induced severe inflammatory responses and brain damage in mice. Albendazole alone and the combined 7,8-DHF/Albendazole treatment effectively alleviated inflammation-related pathological phenomena. Analysis of neuronal functional protein expression across different brain regions showed increased presynaptic proteins following 7,8-DHF treatment. Moreover, 7,8-DHF treatment alone or combined with Albendazole prevented brain injury without inducing cell death in infected mice. These findings suggested that 7,8-DHF could confer neuroprotective effects, particularly in mitigating synaptic loss in the presynaptic region, and alleviating behavioral deficits from infection without inducing cell death. We anticipate these results will aid in the treatment of angiostrongyliasis-induced neurological damage.

The cryopreservation of boar sperm effectively extends its storage period but often leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, compromising sperm quality. Plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids, have been shown to reduce ROS. Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum), also known as the “ruby of cereals”, is nutritionally rich and holds potential as a cryoprotective additive. This study aimed to determine the optimal concentration of extracts from different parts of djulis, including unhulled seeds and stems, for effective boar semen cryopreservation. Fresh semen from Taiwan indigenous boars was diluted with a modified GLT-cryoprotectant extender containing glycerol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and trehalose. The experimental groups included DSS25, DSS50, DS25, and DS50—representing djulis unshelled seed at 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, and djulis stem at 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL in distilled water, respectively—alongside a control group without additives. Post-thaw assessments included sperm motility, kinetic parameters, viability, acrosome integrity, and the antioxidant properties of djulis extracts, such as DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic acid content. Results showed that total motility (TM) was significantly higher in the DSS25 (48.8 ± 3.9), DSS50 (49.0 ± 6.7), and DS50 (49.0 ± 2.4) groups compared to the control group (31.3 ± 4.8). Similarly, progressive motility (PM) was significantly improved in DSS25 (27.5 ± 2.7) and DSS50 (26.8 ± 4.1) versus the control (12.8 ± 3.2). However, for straightness (STR), the control group (87.8 ± 1.3) exhibited significantly higher values than the DS50 group (83.5 ± 1.3) (p < 0.05). Viability and acrosome integrity showed no significant differences across groups. In conclusion, djulis extracts positively influence sperm motility and forward movement, with 1% djulis extract confirmed to enhance the quality of cryopreserved semen. Future research will focus on determining the optimal dosage of djulis extract for improved cryopreservation outcomes.