Macroalgae Polysaccharides Enhance Brain Health by Mitigating Scopolamine-induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder commonly associated with memory loss and difficulties in performing daily activities, particularly in the aging brain.

This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of macroalgae-derived polysaccharides from seaweed against scopolamine-induced amnesia, oxidative stress, and amyloid plaque (Aβ) production in rodents, following standard experimental protocols.

Three novel polysaccharides were extracted from Chara vulgaris, Cladophora glomerata, and Spirogyra crassa, namely: methylated pectin-type polysaccharides (PS1), methylated pectin-type polysaccharides (homo galacturonan and rhamno galacturonan, PS2), Ulvan-type polysaccharide, and xyloglucan polysaccharides (PS3). These polysaccharides were characterized using a variety of analytical techniques, including SEM, FTIR, XRD, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR. The polysaccharides were administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg to male albino mice exposed to scopolamine (1 mg/kg) for three weeks. To assess their neuroprotective effects, Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Y-maze tests, antioxidant enzyme assays (Catalase, GSH, LPO), and western blotting were performed.

The results showed that all three polysaccharides significantly (p ≤ 0.001) mitigated redox imbalance and reduced (p ≤ 0.001) microglial activation, thereby decreasing scopolamine-induced neuroinflammation and amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation. Additionally, these polysaccharides improved neuronal synapses and cognitive function by modulating the NRf-2/TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway.

The data analysis and graph generation were performed using GraphPad Prism software, version 5.0, with a significance level set at a p-value of < 0.05.

The findings highlighted the potential of these three novel natural polysaccharides as promising candidates for the treatment of scopolamine-induced oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.