Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract Potential properties of astaxanthin include immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In diabetic rats, we examined the potential impacts and underlying mechanisms of astaxanthin on hippocampal DNA, cognition, and glycemic status. Rats were divided into five equal groups...

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Main Authors: Sohair A. Saleh, Gergess S. Hanna, Sobhy H. El-Naby, Suzy F. Ewida, Rasha S. A. Elseadawy, Basma S. Ghoneim, Shaimaa M. Motawea
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04402-9
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author Sohair A. Saleh
Gergess S. Hanna
Sobhy H. El-Naby
Suzy F. Ewida
Rasha S. A. Elseadawy
Basma S. Ghoneim
Shaimaa M. Motawea
author_facet Sohair A. Saleh
Gergess S. Hanna
Sobhy H. El-Naby
Suzy F. Ewida
Rasha S. A. Elseadawy
Basma S. Ghoneim
Shaimaa M. Motawea
author_sort Sohair A. Saleh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Potential properties of astaxanthin include immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In diabetic rats, we examined the potential impacts and underlying mechanisms of astaxanthin on hippocampal DNA, cognition, and glycemic status. Rats were divided into five equal groups: non-diabetic, and diabetic (non-treated, metformin treated, astaxanthin treated, and treated with a combination of metformin and astaxanthin). Both spatial and non-spatial memory and learning were assessed. IL-6, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, lipid profile, and glycemic status were assessed. Phosphorylated tau expression level was measured, and H&E section analysis was used to evaluate the hippocampal tissue. DNA fragmentation, intact DNA, and hippocampal RNA were evaluated. Induction of diabetes led to a reduction in cognitive abilities along with significant hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and DNA fragmentation. Astaxanthin as monotherapy or in combination with metformin improved cognitive functions with reduction of hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and DNA fragmentation.
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spelling doaj-art-cac1acdbc0da45b9af44491f06884aec2025-08-20T02:37:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-04402-9Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic ratsSohair A. Saleh0Gergess S. Hanna1Sobhy H. El-Naby2Suzy F. Ewida3Rasha S. A. Elseadawy4Basma S. Ghoneim5Shaimaa M. Motawea6Clinical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityClinical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityGenetics and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Menoufia UniversityClinical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityNeurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityClinical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityClinical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia UniversityAbstract Potential properties of astaxanthin include immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In diabetic rats, we examined the potential impacts and underlying mechanisms of astaxanthin on hippocampal DNA, cognition, and glycemic status. Rats were divided into five equal groups: non-diabetic, and diabetic (non-treated, metformin treated, astaxanthin treated, and treated with a combination of metformin and astaxanthin). Both spatial and non-spatial memory and learning were assessed. IL-6, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, lipid profile, and glycemic status were assessed. Phosphorylated tau expression level was measured, and H&E section analysis was used to evaluate the hippocampal tissue. DNA fragmentation, intact DNA, and hippocampal RNA were evaluated. Induction of diabetes led to a reduction in cognitive abilities along with significant hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and DNA fragmentation. Astaxanthin as monotherapy or in combination with metformin improved cognitive functions with reduction of hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, hyperphosphorylation of tau, and DNA fragmentation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04402-9AstaxanthinCognitionHippocampus DNAPhosphorylated tauDiabetes type 2
spellingShingle Sohair A. Saleh
Gergess S. Hanna
Sobhy H. El-Naby
Suzy F. Ewida
Rasha S. A. Elseadawy
Basma S. Ghoneim
Shaimaa M. Motawea
Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
Scientific Reports
Astaxanthin
Cognition
Hippocampus DNA
Phosphorylated tau
Diabetes type 2
title Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
title_full Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
title_fullStr Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
title_full_unstemmed Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
title_short Astaxanthin attenuates DNA fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
title_sort astaxanthin attenuates dna fragmentation and cognitive decline in type 2 diabetic rats
topic Astaxanthin
Cognition
Hippocampus DNA
Phosphorylated tau
Diabetes type 2
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04402-9
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