Gero-Protective Impact of Astaxanthin on Experimental Model of Brain Aging: Biochemical and Molecular Study

Abstract

Brain activity and multiple organ functions declined with aging. Although the complexity of brain aging process, releasing free radicals and inflammation were strongly linked to the disorder. Astaxanthin is a dietary carotenoid which exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. We intended to estimate the protective impact of Astaxanthin on aging caused by D-galactose. Forty male Wister rats were separated into 4 groups as follow: G1: (control) group:G2: (D-Gal) rats received D-Gal (300mg/kg,ip);G3 (D-Gal+Met) 4 h after D-Gal administration, rats received metformin (300 mg/kg, orally), as reference drug group;G4: (D-Gal+Asta) group: 4h after D-Gal treatment, rats received Astaxanthin (25 mg/kg, orally). Results showed that administering D-Gal caused brain aging manifested by significant (p<0.05) disturbance of antioxidant defense system, inflammatory biomarkers. Moreover, results of gene expression and histological assessment ensured biochemical findings. Astaxanthin supplementation promoted a remarkable significant (p<0.05) normalization in all parameters by triggering different brain mechanisms. In conclusion these results suggested that Astaxanthin modulates D-Gal induced brain-abnormalities associated with aging.