Abstract
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study was planned to assess the efficacy of <em>Haematococcus pluvialis</em> in the regression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty rats were divided into five groups. Positive control group orally received aluminium chloride in a dose 100 mg/kg to induce AD: AD induced rats were orally treated with <em>H. pluvialis</em> extract (150 mg/kg) and rivastigmine standard drug (4.6 mg/kg/day) for 30 d. Brain acetylcholine esterase (AchE), acetylcholine (Ach), dopamine (DA), adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), oxidative stress biomarkers and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Further, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) levels were evaluated. Also, brain histopathological investigation was examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>AD induced rats recorded a significant increase in the brain AchE, concomitant with a significant decrease in Ach, DA, NA, A and SOD levels. While, a significant increase in NO and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, CORT and ACTH was recorded. Moreover, brain histopathological investigation in AD rats showed the formation of amyloid plaques and necrosis of neurons. Treatment of AD induced rats with extract of <em>H. pluvialis</em> or standard drug resulted in an improvement in the most of the all studied biochemical parameters. Also, AD groups treated with extract or standard drug showed great improvement in the brain morphological structure with normalisation of cerebral cortex and hippocampus, though, necrosis of some cerebral neurones was detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This current study indicated that<em> H. pluvialis </em>extract and drug significantly ameliorates the neurotransmitters level, oxidative damage as well as pituitary function due to their anticholinesterase activity, antioxidant efficacy, beside the anti-inflammatory effect.</p>
Highlights
The most well-known type of neurodegenerative dementia in elderly is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which approximately 60% of patients with dementia [1]
AD is characterised by senile plaques due to abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) and the intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which are responsible for the neuronal loss, degeneration of cholinergic system [1], oxidative damage, synaptic dysfunction and inflammation [1]
Treatment of AD rats with H. pluvialis extract declared a significant increase in Ach, while a significant reduction in acetylcholine esterase (AchE) with the percent of improvement 19.14 and 44.03%, respectively comparing with rivastigmine anti-Alzheimer drug which revealed improvement percentages 21.86 and 53.10 %, respectively
Summary
The most well-known type of neurodegenerative dementia in elderly is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which approximately 60% of patients with dementia [1]. AD is a disease that affects memory, thought, reasoning and language as well as serious cognitive disability and death of nerve cells. Memory is an organism's mental ability to store, retain and recall information. AD is characterised by senile plaques due to abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) and the intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which are responsible for the neuronal loss, degeneration of cholinergic system [1], oxidative damage, synaptic dysfunction and inflammation [1]. Al has neurotoxic effect by many mechanisms; promoting formation and accumulation of senile plaques and neurofibirally tangles leading to progressive neuronal degeneration and death [3]. As well as systemic immunological alterations, has been reported in the pathogenesis of AD [1]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
