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Combination of Spirulina with glycyrrhizin prevents cognitive dysfunction in aged obese rats
Sowmya Madhavadas1, Sarada Subramanian1
1Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Objectives:
To evaluate the cognition enhancing effect of the combination of Spirulina and glycyrrhizin in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced obese aged rats.
Materials And Methods:
Obesity was induced in rats by administration of MSG (intraperitoneally, 4 mg/g body weight) for 14 consecutive days from day 1 after birth. Subsequently, the animals were allowed to grow for 18 months with food and water ad libitum. Hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, leptin resistance, were monitored in these animals. Cognitive status was assessed by Barne's maze task and hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels. Further, the animals were treated with Spirulina (Sp) (oral route, 1 g/Kg body weight, for 30 days) alone or glycyrrhizin (Gly) alone (intraperitoneal route, 0.1 mg/Kg, on day 15 and day 21), or their combination (SpGly). Counting of the treatment days was done by considering first day of Sp administration as day 1. After the completion of 30 days of Spirulina treatment or 2 doses of Gly administration or the combination (SpGly) treatment, the animals were left for 3 weeks. They were then were assessed for their biochemical and cognitive changes.
Results:
The combination of Sp with Gly showed a significant reduction (P < 0.0001) in glucose, cholesterol, leptin levels in the serum with improvement in cognitive functions with concomitant reduction in AChE activity in the hippocampal tissue homogenates (P < 0.0001) of the obese rats.
Conclusion:
SpGly combination has a potential role in reversing cognitive dysfunctions associated with aging and obesity.
Insights
The Spirulina and glycyrrhizin combination significantly improved cognitive function in obese aged rats. This treatment also reduced key metabolic markers, suggesting a potential to reverse age-related cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obesity and aging are associated with cognitive decline.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) can induce obesity and related metabolic disturbances in animal models.
- Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus is a marker for cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognition-enhancing effects of combining Spirulina and glycyrrhizin.
- To assess the impact of this combination on metabolic parameters in MSG-induced obese aged rats.
Main Methods:
- Obesity was induced in rats using MSG, followed by an 18-month growth period.
- Cognitive function was evaluated using the Barne's maze task and hippocampal AChE levels.
- Rats were treated with Spirulina, glycyrrhizin, or their combination (SpGly) for 30 days.
Main Results:
- The SpGly combination significantly reduced serum glucose, cholesterol, and leptin levels.
- Cognitive functions were notably improved in the SpGly-treated group.
- A significant reduction in hippocampal AChE activity was observed with the SpGly combination.
Conclusions:
- The combination of Spirulina and glycyrrhizin shows potential in reversing cognitive dysfunction linked to aging and obesity.
- SpGly may offer a therapeutic strategy for metabolic and cognitive impairments.
