Noopept protects ciliates <i>Paramecium сaudatum</i> cells from the toxic effects of heavy metal compounds

Abstract

Background. The dipeptide drug Noopept, created at the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology, has a wide range of pharmacological actions, including cytoprotective one. In connection with the increasing pollution of the environment, it is urgent to identify the protective properties of drugs with a negative effect of heavy metal compounds on the live system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cytoprotective effects of Noopept under toxicity induced by heavy metal compounds using ciliates Paramecium caudatum as a test object. Methods. The ciliates Paramecium caudatum were exposed to 4 salts of heavy metals: cadmium chloride, lead acetate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, as well as nanoparticles of copper oxide and zinc oxide. Noopept was added to the medium with the experimental cells 30 min before the introduction of damaging agents, at concentrations of 0.01–10 μM. Results. It was found that the presence of metal salts in the medium significantly reduced the number Paramecium сaudatum cells, depending on the time of exposure. Noopept at all studied concentrations reduced cell death, while the maximum intensity of the effect was observed at a concentration of 1 μM. Conclusions. The results obtained make it possible to supplement data on the wide spectrum of Noopept's action.