The effects of caffeine, caffeic acid, and their combination on acetylcholinesterase, adenosine deaminase and arginase activities linked with brain function

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of caffeine, caffeic acid, and their combination on critical enzymes of brain function. Wistar male rats weighing an average of 205 g were divided into four groups (n = 5) and treated with these compounds for seven successive days. The results of the study revealed that the levels of nitric oxide, total thiol, nonprotein thiol, and acetylcholinesterase activities were increased while the levels of lipid peroxidation, arginase, and adenosine deaminase activities were decreased in animals treated with caffeine when compared to the control. These findings indicate that moderate short-term consumption of caffeine may be beneficial for brain function. Practical applications The results suggest that moderate short-term consumption of a combination of caffeine and caffeic acid can effectively improve brain function via improvements in the antioxidant status, decreased lipid peroxidation, and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, adenosine deaminase, and arginase activities in the brain and cerebral cortex.