Amelioration of Cognitive Deficits by Spirulina platensis in L‑methionine‑Induced Rat Model of Vascular Dementia
Pian Wang1, Yan Wang1★, Qingbin Zhang1, Hongbo Zhang1, Zheng Li1, Xiaoying Liu1, Lavleen Kaur2, Manish Kumar2★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Neurology, Chengdu Fifth Peoples’ Hospital, Chengdu, China.
- 2Department of Pharmacology, Swift School of Pharmacy, Rajpura, Punjab, India.
CORRESPONDENCE
Yan Wang
Department of Neurology, Chengdu Fifth Peoples’ Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Received: 09-10-2019; Revised: 06-11-2019.
Volume 16, Issue 68S · pp. S133–S141 · PUBLISHED 31 March 2020 · DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_438_19
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ABSTRACT
Background: Vascular dementia (VaD) is an age‑associated highly prevalent brain disorder characterized by progressive cognitive insufficiency. Nutritional deprivation‑associated rise in homocysteine (HCy), dyslipidemia, endothelial debility, and redox imbalance is a key facet of VaD. Spirulina platensis (spirulina) is a high‑nutritional‑value cyanobacterium appreciated by modern as well as diverse civilizations of antiquity (e.g., Mexican‑Aztec, African‑Kanambous). The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of spirulina (S. platensis) in VaD. Materials and Methods: L‑methionine (1.7 g/kg) was given orally to simulate VaD in rats. Spirulina was administered (0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg; p.o.) for 4 weeks daily. The neurobehavioral assessments and biochemical analysis in the whole brain (thiobarbituric acid‑reactive substances [TBARS], glutathione [GSH], and acetylcholinesterase [AChE]) and serum (cholesterol, HCy, and nitrite) of rats were conducted. Results: Cognitive impairment in rats by L‑methionine was attributable to statistically significant (P < 0.05) elevation in HCy, cholesterol levels, oxidative stress, AChE activity, and a decline of endothelial‑derived nitric oxide. Spirulina attenuated (P < 0.05) the L‑methionine‑triggered cognitive insufficiency in rats. TBARS levels and AChE activity were reduced and GSH content was increased by spirulina in the brain of L‑methionine‑treated rats. Spirulina‑attenuated L‑methionine triggered increase in blood HCy and total cholesterol levels in rats. In aortic‑ring tests, acetylcholine‑induced endothelium‑dependent relaxation was abolished by L‑methionine, which showed endothelial mutilation and was potently attenuated by chronic treatment with spirulina. Conclusion: In L‑methionine model of VaD, therapeutic intervention by spirulina (S. platensis) imparts appreciable relief in cognitive deficits.
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Wang, P., Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., Zhang, H., Li, Z., Liu, X., Kaur, L., & Kumar, M. (2020). Amelioration of Cognitive Deficits by Spirulina platensis in L‑methionine‑Induced Rat Model of Vascular Dementia. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 16(68S), S133–S141. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_438_19