Oxidative stress is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. Different natural compounds mediate neuroprotective effects by activating the Nrf2 antioxidant response. Some isothiocyanates are Nrf2 activators, including Moringin (MOR). In this study, the transcriptional profile of differentiated NSC-34 motor neurons was evaluated after treatment for 48 h and 96 h with concentrations of 0.5, 5, and 10 mu M of a new MOR formulation obtained with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD). All the concentrations increased gene expression and cytoplasmic protein levels of Nrf2 at 96 h. However, the highest dose also increased nuclear Nrf2 levels at 96 h. Then, Nrf2 interactors were selected using STRING, and common biological process (BP) terms between the groups were evaluated. alpha-CD/MOR was able to modulate BP related to responses to oxidative stress, proteostasis, and autophagy. Specifically, the treatment with 10 mu M of alpha-CD/MOR for 96 h induced genes involved in glutathione synthesis and proteasome subunits and reduced the expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Moreover, this group showed the lowest levels of the apoptotic markers Bax, cleaved caspase 9, and cleaved caspase 3. These results indicate the beneficial effects of prolonged alpha-CD/MOR supplementation that are mediated, at least in part, by Nrf2 activation. Then, alpha-CD/MOR could be a valuable treatment against neurodegenerative diseases, in particular motor neuron degeneration.
