Liposomal Honokiol Nanoparticles Attenuate Manganese-Induced Hippocampal Neurotoxicity via NRF2/HO-1 and SIRT1/PGC-1α Pathways: Association with Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Manganese (Mn) is a neurotoxic trace element whose excessive accumulation in the brain can induce hippocampal damage via oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. This study investigated whether honokiol (HNK) and its liposomal nanoformulation (HNK-LNPs) can ameliorate Mn-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity by modulating key antioxidant and mitochondrial regulatory pathways. Methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to Mn exposure to induce hippocampal neurotoxicity and were treated with HNK or HNK-LNPs. We assessed oxidative status via NRF2/HO-1 signaling, antioxidant defenses (glutathione, GPx, SOD, CAT), and oxidative indices (ROS, MDA). Neuroinflammatory markers (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Iba-1), mitochondrial respiratory chain function and ATP levels, SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling, and neurotransmitter homeostasis were evaluated. We analyzed apoptosis using Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, and cytochrome c, along with histopathological and ultrastructural examination of the hippocampus. Results: Mn exposure was associated with NRF2/HO-1 downregulation, depleted endogenous antioxidants, increased ROS and MDA levels, and increased NF-κB–driven neuroinflammation and microglial Iba-1 expression. Mn was further associated with reduced ATP synthesis, dysregulation of SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling, and disrupted neurotransmitter balance, with a pro-apoptotic shift (elevated Bax, caspase-3, cytochrome c; reduced Bcl-2) and neuronal degeneration. Co-treatment with HNK, and more prominently with HNK-LNPs, was associated with reversing these alterations, restoring antioxidant and mitochondrial pathways, dampening inflammatory cascades, normalizing neurotransmitters, and favoring neuronal survival, with many indices approaching control values and consistently surpassing free HNK. Conclusions: Liposomal encapsulation significantly enhances honokiol’s neuroprotection against Mn-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity, likely via improved CNS bioavailability and coordinated modulation of NRF2/HO-1 and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathways. These findings support HNK-LNPs as a promising multi-mechanistic therapeutic strategy for metal-induced and related neurotoxic brain disorders.