Abstract
Objective Chronic stress impairs memory by damaging brain cells via induction of oxidative
stress. Hence, the use of agents with antioxidant activity is being investigated as
potential drugs against chronic stress-induced memory decline. This study evaluated
the effect of Jobelyn® (JB), a potent antioxidant food supplement on memory deficit induced by anoxic stress
in mice and on brain levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Method Male mice were distributed into 6 groups (n=6): group 1 (non-stress control) and
group 2 (stress control) were a given saline, groups 3–5 received JB (5, 10, 25 and
50 mg/kg) while group 6 had donepezil-DP (1 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, mice in
groups 2–5 were exposed twice to anoxic condition for 15 min in acute anoxic stress.
However, in sub-chronic anoxic stress, mice in groups 2–6 were subjected to the same
anoxic condition for 15 min twice daily for 5 consecutive days. Thereafter, memory
performance was assessed in each case using Y-maze paradigm. The concentrations of
biomarkers of oxidative stress (glutathione and malondialdehyde) were only determined
in the brains of mice exposed to sub-chronic anoxic stress.
Results Mice exposed to sub-chronic anoxic stress had impaired memory function, which was
significantly attenuated by JB. The increased oxidative stress as shown by elevated
levels of malondialdehyde and decreased concentrations of glutathione was also reduced
by JB.
Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the antioxidant activity of Jobelyn® might be contributing to its ability to attenuate sub-chronic anoxic stress-induced
memory deficits in mice.
Key word
Jobelyn - anoxic stress - memory impairment - oxidative stress
