Development and validation of a mixture of nutraceutical compounds to improve cognitive function in rats

Abstract

Modern lifestyles have raised concerns about their impact on cognitive function due to sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, and high-stress environments, leading to a global increase in cognitive impairments. This emphasizes the vital role of nutrition in maintaining optimal brain health, with scientific research linking specific nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D3, and probiotics to neural growth, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmitter synthesis, crucial for learning and memory processes. Brain health is paramount for overall well-being, emotional stability, and functional independence throughout life, making nutraceuticals a promising strategy to enhance brain function. Developing innovative nutraceutical mixtures and products is crucial for addressing cognitive health challenges today. The main objective of this study is to develop a mixture of nutraceutical compounds that can be used to improve cognitive development and to prevent cognitive impairment in an animal model. This research was divided into two objectives. This first objective was to determine the effect of the mixture of probiotics and ω3 PUFA on memory and cognitive development in a rat model using an excipient as a delivery system (Chapter 3). The Barnes maze test assessed spatial learning and memory in rats. Samples from the cecum were collected to evaluate microbial counts, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae, and total bacteria. Additionally, brain samples were analyzed to study neural morphology, and various parameters such as glucose levels, brain weights, and epididymal tissue were also examined. The main findings showed that the excipient added with ω3 PUFA and probiotics improved memory in rats compared to supplementation of the compounds separately. Additionally, consuming probiotics alone or combined with an excipient decreased Enterobacteria counts, while Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria counts were unaffected. Finally, neuronal morphological analysis revealed that combining probiotics and ω3 PUFA with the delivery system increased the number of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Furthermore, the second objective evaluated the efficacy of DHA, vitamin D3, and probiotics in preventing cognitive decline in an aluminum-induced cognitive impairment animal model (Chapter 4). In this case, the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were employed to assess behavioral outcomes. Glial activation was evaluated using immunofluorescence analysis of GFAP/Iba1, while levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured to determine oxidative stress markers in brain tissue. The principal results demonstrated that supplementation with a combination of nutraceuticals, including DHA, vitamin D3, and probiotics, showed notable benefits against aluminum-induced cognitive impairment. These benefits included memory improvement, decreased oxidative stress (MDA concentration), increased antioxidant activity (SOD), and reduced glial activation, as indicated by GFAP/Iba1 markers. The results of this thesis showed that the nutraceutical combinations improved cognitive development and mitigated cognitive impairment. Overall, the study underscores the potential of nutraceuticals in enhancing cognitive function and preventing cognitive decline, offering insights into innovative strategies for addressing cognitive health challenges in contemporary society. Additional studies could be conducted to carry out clinical trials to confirm the positive effect of the formulations on cognitive function in different life stages.