Metabolomics reveal pathways associated with neuroprotective effect of Aquilaria crassna extract fraction in 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells

Aquilaria crassna (AC) is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The current findings exerted the neuroprotective effect of AC fraction on 6-OHDA-induced SH-SY5Y models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons is a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly PD. The AC fraction could prevent the 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through the inhibition of mitochondrial depolarization and the phosphorylation of α-synuclein [ 1 ] [ 2 ]. Confirmed by the metabolomics approach, the most potential metabolite associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction, including isoleucine, were significantly altered among different treatment groups. Additionally, the expression of isoleucine in each sample was confirmed using a targeted metabolomics approach. Disturbances in the metabolism of these metabolites afterwards develop PD characteristics. Pathway analysis showed that valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis was the prominent pathway. In conclusion, AC fraction may be utilized for the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons and developed as an alternative medicine for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, especially PD. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany