Fucoidan serves a neuroprotective effect in an Alzheimer's disease model

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory and cognitive impairments.
• Monocrotophos is an organophosphate pesticide that can induce AD-like symptoms.
• Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the protective effects of fucoidan against monocrotophos-induced Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster.
• To investigate the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying fucoidan's neuroprotection.

Main Methods:

• In silico molecular docking studies to predict fucoidan's binding affinity to target proteins.
• In vitro enzyme inhibition assays to assess fucoidan's activity against cholinergic and monoamine-metabolized enzymes.
• In vivo experiments using Drosophila melanogaster models exposed to monocrotophos, with assessments of biochemical markers, gene expression, and behavioral tests (locomotor activity, learning, and memory).

Main Results:

• In silico analysis revealed a strong binding energy (-9.3 kcal) between fucoidan and relevant proteins.
• Fucoidan exhibited dose- and time-dependent inhibition of key enzymes involved in neurotransmitter metabolism.
• In vivo, fucoidan mitigated monocrotophos-induced increases in total mRNA and protein, normalized biochemical and neurochemical changes, and improved locomotor, learning, and memory deficits.

Conclusions:

• Fucoidan exerts significant neuroprotective effects in a Drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer's disease.
• The findings suggest fucoidan's potential as a therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, acting through enzyme inhibition and restoration of normal biochemical pathways.
• Further research into fucoidan's therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative disorders is warranted.