Therapeutic use of neuroprotective nutraceuticals in experimental neurologic disorder

Abstract

Background Neurologic disorder refers to dysfunction in any part of the brain or nervous system. Depression is a neurologic disorder characterized by low mood with physical and psychological defects. Stress induced depression is common and it is induced by psychosocial stress. Omega-3 fatty acids are nutraceuticals that have potential benefit in neurologic disorders for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and proregenerative effects. Ascorbic acid and zinc have also neuroprotective properties due to their antioxidant activity. Research objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of nutraceuticals (Omega-3 fatty acids, ascorbic acid and zinc) in stress induced neurological disorder in experimental animal model. Research Methodology The study was conducted on rat models during September -December 2016. A total of fifty (50) healthy Wistar albino rats, weighing between 100-120 grams of age ranging 50-60 days were included in this study. Neurologic disorder (depression) was induced by physical and chemical stress techniques. Physical stress induced depression was made in rat model through confinement and light exposure for 21 days. Chemical stress induced depression was made by administering chemical stressor (reserpine) for 21 days. Each model was divided into three groups, where they were administered nutraceuticals (Omega 3 fatty acids, ascorbic acid and zinc), antidepressant (clomipramine) and placebo accordingly for 21 days. Seven rats were taken as baseline control group. In order to assess the change in stress induced depression, behavioral tests- Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) was conducted, oxidative stress marker Malondialdehyde (MDA) and fasting blood glucose levels were estimated. Adrenal gland and brain was extracted and weighed. Data analysis was done by SPSS v22 and Microsoft Excel 2013. ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test were done to analyze the data. Results In physical stress model, behavioral tests showed that the period of climbing (p<0.001) and swimming (p<0.01) were significantly higher and period of immobility was significantly lower (p<0.001) in forced swim test in nutraceutical treated group in comparison to that of depressed control group and were almost similar to antidepressant treated control group and baseline control group. In tail suspension test, period of immobility was also significantly lower (p<0.001) in nutraceutical treated group. Analysis of biochemical stress indicators showed that malondialdehyde (p<0.01) and fasting blood glucose level (p<0.001) were significantly lower in nutraceutical treated group than the depressed control group. The percent (%) change of body weight was significantly higher (p<0.01), adrenal gland weight was significantly lower (p<0.001) and brain weight was significantly higher (p<0.001) in nutraceutical treated group compared to that of depressed control group. In chemical stress model, behavioral tests analysis of biochemical stress indicators and estimation of percent change of body weight, adrenal gland and brain weight revealed similar findings in the nutraceutical treated group. Conclusion In physical and chemical stress models, it was evident that therapeutic use of nutraceuticals led to a decline of depressive symptoms which was also revealed in laboratory findings. It can be concluded that nutraceuticals (omega 3 fatty acid, ascorbic acid and zinc) have neuroprotective potential.