The Attenuating Effect of Beta-Carotene on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Vascular Dementia Symptoms in Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the ameliorative effects of beta-carotene (BC) on diabetes-associated vascular dementia and its action against biomolecule oxidation. The diabetic vascular dementia (VaD) was induced by administration of nicotinamide (NA; 50 mg/kg; i.p.) and streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg; i.p.). The test compound, BC (50 and 100 mg/kg; p.o.), and the reference compound, donepezil (DP) (1 mg/kg; p.o.), were administered for 15 consecutive days. Changes in learning and memory were assessed by escape latency time (ELT) and times spent in target quadrant (TSTQ) in the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The changes in neurotransmitter, i.e., acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and oxidative stress markers, i.e., thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH), were estimated in hippocampal tissue of the rat brain. The administration of STZ caused significant deterioration of cognitive function (decreased ELT and raised the TSTQ) as compared to the normal group. Treatment with BC and DP diminished the increased AChE activity, TBARS level and decreased GSH level caused by STZ. Thus, BC ameliorates the diabetic vascular complications in VaD due to its potential anticholinergic, antioxidative and free radical scavenging actions.

Reversal of Neuralgia Effect of Beta Carotene in Streptozotocin-Associated Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Female Zebrafish via Matrix Metalloprotease-13 Inhibition

“…Another point of interest is PBC’s role in the regulation of MMP13 activity in DNP conditions. It has potentially pharmacological actions against various neurovascular disorders such as vascular dementia [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], Alzheimer’s disease, aging [ 29 ], and ischemic stroke [ 30 ]. Beta carotene acts as a vitamin A precursor, and it also possesses multiple cellular signaling actions such as those of free radical scavengers (anti-oxidant), it enhances the endogenous anti-oxidant activity level (raising the GSH synthesis), and it decreases the rate of the apoptosis (cell death) process, and it causes the inhibition of MMP.…”

“…Moreover, beta carotene has neuromodulatory actions that occur via the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory actions [ 27 ]. It also possesses an anti-oxidant role in the prevention of neurovascular disorders [ 27 , 31 ] and reduces neurovascular complications [ 32 ].…”

Epigalocatequina-3-Galato Do Chá Verde Em Modelos Experimentais De Demência Vascular

“…A Estreptozotocina (Etz) é um ativo que atua à nível celular e penetra a membrana plasmática através da proteína de transporte de glicose (GLUT2). A Etz é capaz de induzir a morte de células produtoras de insulina, além de reduzir a capacidade cerebral de captação de glicose e gerar neuroinflamação (PFUTZENREUTER et al, 2020), sendo frequentemente utilizada para indução de dano cerebral nos roedores em modelos experimentais de neuropatias (LIM et al, 2022;MURTISHAW et al, 2018) . Outro modelo utilizou injeção subcutânea de D-Galactose em camundongos Balb/c para induzir o dano cerebrovascular (GUMAY et al, 2018).…”

Palm Oil Derived Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Attenuates Vascular Dementia in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

“…There are very few pharmacological treatments for VaD, such as memantine and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which may have a moderate benefit in VaD. According to studies, oxidative stress is positively linked to cognitive impairment, and antioxidative substances (beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin c, alpha-naphtho flavone, and vitamin E) are reported to have a good impact on both cognition and dementia [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Palm oil, one of the most produced and consumed edible oils in the world is a good source of beta carotene and vitamin E [ 13 , 21 ], and is extracted from the fruit of the palm tree ( Elaeis guineensis ) [ 22 ]. Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) is an isolated fraction of palm oil that consists mainly of a mixture of α, γ, δ-tocotrienols, and some α-tocopherols [ 23 , 24 ].…”