Therapeutic potential of fucoidan derived from Sargassum wightii greville in diabetic encephalopathy – behavioural, biochemical, histopathological and histochemical evidences

• Main Authors: Sathiya Ramu, Jayaraman Anbu, Kaliaperumal Krishnaraj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-02-01
• Series: Phytomedicine Plus
• Subjects: Fucoidan; Sargassum wightii; Diabetic encephalopathy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031320300117

Background: Brown seaweeds are the most intensely studied type of seaweeds being composed of potentially bioactive polysaccharides such as fucoidan. Fucoidan from Sargassum wightii Greville (S. wightii) has been reported to possess α-d-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, there are no scientific data available regarding the evaluation of fucoidan derived from S. wightii in diabetes mellitus induced cognitive dysfunction. Purpose: The present work studies the protective effect of fucoidan isolated from S. wightii against diabetic encephalopathy. Methodology: Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce diabetic encephalopathy and animals were subjected to behavioural analysis including Morris water maze, open field and light dark discrimination test. Biochemical, histopathology and histochemical studies were carried out to validate the therapeutic potential of fucoidan in diabetic encephalopathy. Results: Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p) treated diabetic animals showed significant cognitive deficits with a poor performance in behavioural analysis. There was also a significant increase in hippocampal MDA, nitrite, AGEs, AChE activity and a decrease in GSH, SOD in disease control which is correlated to cognitive deficits. Elevated level of Aβ protein and Tau protein indicated the neuronal damage in hippocampus by streptozotocin. Treatment with fucoidan 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly combated behavioural deficits, oxidative stress and amyloid burden. Histopathology of pancreas revealed the protective effect of fucoidan against streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus. Congo red staining of cerebral cortex and hippocampus further strengthened the neuroprotective role of fucoidan. Conclusion: Thus, it may be suggested that fucoidan showed protective effect against diabetes induced cognitive dysfunction.