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Aims: Growing evidence suggests that an imbalanced gut microbiota composition plays a crucial role in the development of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), an inflammatory demyelinating disease primarily affecting the optic nerves and central nervous system (CNS). In light of this, we explored the potential therapeutic benefits of GV‐971 in NMOSD. GV‐971 is a drug used for treating mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease, which targets the gut‐brain axis and reduces neuroinflammation. Methods: To evaluate GV‐971's effects, we employed the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model to establish NMOSD animal models. This was achieved by injecting NMO‐IgG into aged mice (11 months old) or using NMO‐IgG along with complement injection and microbubble‐enhanced low‐frequency ultrasound (MELFUS) techniques in young mice (7 weeks old). We assessed the impact of GV‐971 on incidence rate, clinical scores, body weight, and survival, with methylprednisolone serving as a positive control. In NMOSD models of young mice, we analyzed spinal cord samples through H&E staining, immunohistochemistry, and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Fecal samples collected at different time points underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while plasma samples were analyzed using cytokine array and untargeted metabolomics analysis. Results: Our findings indicated that GV‐971 significantly reduced the incidence of NMOSD, alleviated symptoms, and prolonged survival in NMOSD mouse models. The NMOSD model exhibited substantial neuroinflammation and injury, accompanied by imbalances in gut microbiota, peripheral inflammation, and metabolic disorders, suggesting a potentially vicious cycle that accelerates disease pathogenesis. Notably, GV‐971 effectively reduces neuroinflammation and injury, and restores gut microbiota composition, as well as ameliorates peripheral inflammation and metabolic disorders. Conclusions: GV‐971 attenuates the progression of NMOSD in murine models and reduces neuroinflammation and injury, likely through its effects on remodeling gut microbiota and peripheral inflammation and metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by deposits of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain parenchyma. Despite considerable research to elucidate the pathological mechanisms and identify therapeutic strategies for AD, effective treatments are still lacking. In the present study, we found that salidroside (Sal), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., can protect against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in four transgenic Drosophila AD models. Both longevity and locomotor activity were improved in Sal-fed Drosophila. Sal also decreased Aβ levels and Aβ deposition in brain and ameliorated toxicity in Aβ-treated primary neuronal culture. The neuroprotective effect of Sal was associated with upregulated phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling. Our findings identify a compound that may possess potential therapeutic benefits for AD and other forms of neurodegeneration.