Guarana ( Paullinia cupana ) ameliorates memory impairment and modulates acetylcholinesterase activity in p oloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemia in rat brain

• Published in: Physiology & behavior
• Main Authors: Ruchel, Jader B, Braun, Josiane S, Adefegha, Stephen A, Abdalla, Fátima H, de Oliveira, Juliane S, Trelles, Kelly, Signor, Cristiane, Lopes, Sônia T.A, da Silva, Cássia B, Castilhos, Livia G, Rubin, Maribel A, Leal, Daniela B.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Psychiatry; Hyperlipidemia; Memory; Simvastatin; Caffeine; Paullinia cupana
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.10.003

Abstract Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for the development of cognitive dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Currently, the natural compounds have received special attention in relation to the treatment of diseases due to their low cost and wide margin of safety. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the possible preventive effect of guarana powder ( Paullinia cupana ) on memory impairment and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in brain structures of p oloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic rat. Adult male Wistar rats were pretreated with guarana 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day and caffeine (0.2 mg/kg/day) by gavage for a period of 30 days. Simvastatin (0.04 mg/kg) was administered as a comparative standard in this study. Hyperlipidemia was acutely induced with intraperitoneally injection of 500 mg/kg of p oloxamer 407. Memory test and evaluation of anxiety were performed. The cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus and striatum were separated for the assessment of acetylcholinesterase activity. Our results revealed that guarana powder was able to reduce the levels of TC and LDL-C in a manner similar to simvastatin and partially reduced the liver damage caused by hyperlipidemia. Guarana was able to prevent changes in the activity of AChE and improve memory impairment caused by hyperlipidemia. Guarana powder may therefore be a source of promising phytochemicals that can be used as an adjuvant therapy in the management of hyperlipidemia and cognitive disorders.