Beetroot supplemented diet exhibit anti-amnesic effect via modulation of cholinesterases, purinergic enzymes, monoamine oxidase and attenuation of redox imbalance in the brain of scopolamine treated male rats.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a beetroot-supplemented diet (BRSD) could improve cognitive function and modulate neurochemicals associated with Alzheimer's disease in scopolamine-treated rats.
Results Summary
BRSD improved cognitive function, reduced enzyme activities linked to Alzheimer's pathology, and enhanced antioxidant status in scopolamine-treated rats. Key bioactive compounds in beetroot were identified, suggesting potential mechanisms for its neuroprotective effects.
Population
Scopolamine-treated rats (animal model for Alzheimer's-like cognitive impairment).
Effective Dosage
2% and 4% beetroot-supplemented diet.
Duration
14 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
beetroot supplemented diet (BRSD) | increase | cognitive function | rats treated with scopolamine (SCOP) | - | improved | #1 |
beetroot supplemented diet (BRSD) | increase | memory index | SCOP treated rats | - | increasing | #2 |
scopolamine (SCOP) | increase | NTPdase, ADA, MAO, and ACE activities | brain of rats | - | An increase in | #3 |
beetroot supplemented diet (BRSD) | decrease | activities of these enzymes | - | - | significantly lower | #4 |
beetroot supplemented diet (BRSD) | increase | catalase activity, T-SH and NP-SH levels | SCOP-treated rats | - | triggered a significant increase in | #5 |
beetroot | decrease | cognitive dysfunction | SCOP-treated rats | - | could prevent | #6 |
beetroot | increase | memory function | - | - | enhance | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: Beta vulgaris, commonly known as beetroot, is a vegetable that contains red pigment and rich in betalains, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. This study was designed to assess the effect of beetroot supplemented diet (BRSD) on cognitive function and altered neurochemicals associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain of rats treated with scopolamine (SCOP). METHODS: Rats were fed with BRSD (2 and 4%) for 14 days and administered with 2 mg/kg of SCOP intraperitoneally on the last day. Morris water Maze and Y-maze tests were performed to assess cognitive function. Purinergic enzymes [ectonucleotidase (NTPdase) and adenosine deaminase (ADA)], monoamine oxidase (MAO), and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activities were determined in rat brain tissues. Furthermore, catalase activity, total thiol (T-SH) and non-protein thiol (NP-SH) levels were also assessed. Beetroot was characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the structure-activity relationship between the constituents and target enzymes was assessed. RESULTS: BRSD improved cognitive function by increasing memory index in SCOP treated rats. An increase in NTPdase, ADA, MAO, and ACE activities were observed in the brain of rats treated with SCOP. However, the activities of these enzymes were significantly lower after treatment with BRSD. Treatment with BRSD triggered a significant increase in catalase activity, T-SH and NP-SH levels in SCOP-treated rats. Catechin, 6,7-benzocoumarin, gentisin, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, and vulgaxanthin I was identified in beetroots. DISCUSSION: The result suggests that beetroot could prevent cognitive dysfunction in SCOP-treated rats, and enhance memory function, via modulation of purinergic enzymes, MAO and ACE activities, and neuronal antioxidant status.