Neuroprotective and Cognitive‐Enhancing Effects of Microencapsulation of Mulberry Fruit Extract in Animal Model of Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Currently, the neuroprotectant and memory-enhancing agent for menopausal women with metabolic syndrome is required. Based on the advantages of polyphenolics on numerous changes observed in menopause with metabolic syndrome and the encapsulation method, we hypothesized that microencapsulated mulberry fruit extract (MME) could protect brain damage and improve memory impairment in an animal model of menopause with metabolic syndrome. To test this hypothesis, MME at doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg was given to female Wistar rats which were induced experimental menopause with metabolic syndrome by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet for 8 weeks. Spatial memory together with neuron density, oxidative stress status, acetylcholinesterase, and phosphorylation of Erk in the hippocampus was assessed at the end of the study. It was found that MME decreased memory impairment, oxidative stress status, and AChE activity but increased neuron density and Erk phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Therefore, the neuroprotective and memory-enhancing effects of MME might partly involve the enhanced cholinergic function and Erk phosphorylation but decreased oxidative stress status in hippocampus. Therefore, MME is the potential novel neuroprotectant and memory-enhancing agent for menopause with metabolic syndrome. However, further research especially clinical trial is still necessary.

Memory-Enhancing Effect of a Phytosome Containing the Combined Extract of Mulberry Fruit and Ginger in an Animal Model of Ischemic Stroke with Metabolic Syndrome

“…The cognitive enhancing effect of PMG observed in this study corresponded with the previous study which showed the cognitive enhancing effect following cerebral ischemia [ 9 , 11 ]. Currently, it has been demonstrated that memory function is associated with the changes in the cholinergic system, ERK signal transduction, and brain structural changes in the hippocampus [ 6 , 7 ]. A recent study has revealed that not only the hippocampus but also the prefrontal cortex plays crucial roles in spatial memory [ 32 ].…”

“…Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex disorder consisting of hyperglycemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and central obesity [ 1 ], increases the risks of both memory impairment [ 2 ] and brain dysfunction such as stroke [ 3 ]. It has been shown that MetS raises the risk of dementia [ 4 – 6 ]. The underlying mechanism of memory impairment in MetS appears to be associated with the reduction of many factors including the function of the cholinergic system and signal transduction via the ERK pathway together with the reduction of neuron density in the hippocampus [ 6 ].…”

“…It has been shown that MetS raises the risk of dementia [ 4 – 6 ]. The underlying mechanism of memory impairment in MetS appears to be associated with the reduction of many factors including the function of the cholinergic system and signal transduction via the ERK pathway together with the reduction of neuron density in the hippocampus [ 6 ]. Recently, it has been demonstrated that stroke in MetS can also induce memory impairment [ 7 ].…”

“…Accumulative lines of evidence have demonstrated that many plant extracts containing polyphenolic compounds including ripened mulberry ( Morus alba Linn) fruit and the rhizome of ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties [ 6 , 8 – 11 ]. Unfortunately, most phenolic compounds are unstable and poorly absorbed resulting in poor bioavailability [ 12 , 13 ].…”

UPLC-DAD-QTOF/MS Analysis of Flavonoids from 12 Varieties of Korean Mulberry Fruit

“…Mulberries contain bioactive components, such as alkaloids and flavonoids [23][24][25] and when dried possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory properties [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Qualitative analysis by the HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method has previously been used to identify six nonanthocyanin phenolics from two mulberry varieties: 4-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid, quercetin, rutin, and taxifolin.…”