| Summary: | This study aimed to investigate the effect of astaxanthin (ASX) extracted and ASX powder from shrimp (<i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>) shells on Wistar rats with Alzheimer’s disease, induced by amyloid-β (1-42) peptides. In this task, the rats were divided into eight groups: (1) Control, (2) sham operate, (3) negative control (vehicle) + Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>, (4) ASX extract+Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>, (5) commercial ASX + Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>, (6) ASX powder + Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>, (7) blank powder + Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>, and (8) vitamin E + Aβ<sub>1-42</sub>. All treatments were orally administrated for 30 days. At 14- and 29-days post injection, animals were observed in behavioral tests. On the 31st day, animals were sacrificed; the hippocampus and cortex were collected. Those two brain areas were then homogenized and stored for biochemical and histological analysis. The results showed that the Aβ<sub>1-42</sub> infused group significantly reduced cognitive ability and increased memory loss, as assessed by the Morris water maze test, novel object recognition test, and novel object location test. Moreover, the Aβ<sub>1-42</sub> infused group exhibited a deterioration of oxidative markers, including glutathione peroxidase enzymes (GPx), lipid peroxidation (MDA), products of protein oxidation, and superoxide anion in the cortex and the hippocampus. Meanwhile, ASX powder (10 mg/kg body weight) showed a significant reduction in cognitive and memory impairments and oxidative stress which is greater than ASX extract in the same dose of compound or vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight). Our study indicates the beneficial properties of ASX in alleviation of cognitive functions and reducing neurodegeneration in Wistar rats induced by amyloid-β (1-42) peptides.
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