Neuroprotective Effects of Sulphated Agaran from Marine Alga Gracilaria cornea in Rat 6-Hydroxydopamine Parkinson's Disease Model: Behavioural, Neurochemical and Transcriptional Alterations

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2017 Feb;120(2):159-170. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.12669. Epub 2016 Oct 10.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disease associated with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and behavioural alterations. Natural bioactive compounds may provide new therapeutic alternatives for neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD. The sulphated polysaccharides isolated from marine algae are heterogenic molecules that show different biological activities. The red marine alga Gracilaria cornea has a sulphated polysaccharide (SA-Gc) with structure and anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities reported in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of SA-Gc in rat model PD induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Firstly, we established the PD model in rats, induced by an intrastriatal injection (int.) of 6-OHDA, followed by a single administration of SA-Gc (15, 30 or 60 μg; int.). On the 14th day, behavioural tests were performed. After killing, brain areas were dissected and used for neurochemical and/or transcriptional analyses. The results showed that SA-Gc (60 μg, int.) promoted neuroprotective effects in vivo through reducing the oxidative/nitroactive stress and through alterations in the monoamine contents induced by 6-OHDA. Furthermore, SA-Gc modulated the transcription of neuroprotective and inflammatory genes, as well as returning behavioural activities and weight gain to normal conditions. Thus, this study reports the neuroprotective effects of SA-Gc against 6-OHDA in rats.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / isolation & purification
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gracilaria* / chemistry
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / isolation & purification
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidopamine
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / genetics
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / psychology
  • Polysaccharides / isolation & purification
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Rotarod Performance Test
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Polysaccharides
  • Oxidopamine