Supplementation with Manihot esculenta Crantz (Cassava) leaves’ extract prevents recognition memory deficits and hippocampal antioxidant dysfunction induced by Amyloid-β

ABSTRACT

Objective: The Manihot esculenta Crantz (Cassava) is a typical South American plant rich in nutrients and energetic compounds. Lately, our group has shown that non-pharmacological interventions with natural antioxidants present different neuroprotective effects on oxidative balance and memory deficits in AD-like animal models. Here, our objective was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Cassava leaves’ extract (CAS) in an AD-like model induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) 25–35 peptide. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 40; 60 days old) were subjected to 10 days of CAS supplementation; then, we injected 2 μL Aβ 25–35 in the hippocampus by stereotaxic surgery. Ten days later, we evaluated object recognition (OR) memory. Cassavas’ total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins content were measured, as well as hippocampal lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity. Results: CAS protected against Aβ-induced OR memory deficits. In addition, Aβ promoted antioxidant capacity decrease, while CAS was able to prevent it, in addition to diminishing lipoperoxidation compared to Aβ. Discussion: We show that treatment with Cassava leaves’ extract before AD induction prevents recognition memory deficits related to Aβ hippocampal injection. At least part of these effects can be related to the Cassava leaves’ extract supplementation effects on diminishing lipid peroxidation and preventing a decrease in the hippocampal total antioxidant capacity in the hippocampus of AD-like animals without adverse effects. Once cassavais a plant of warm and dry ground that can adapt to growon various soil types and seems to resist several insects, our results enable Cassava to be considered asa potential preventive intervention to avoid or minimizeAD-induced memory deficits worldwide.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• long-term memory
• hippocampus
• cassava extract

Data availability statement

Data that supports these research findings are available from the correspondent author upon request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by research grants and fellowships from CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior), FAPERGS (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul), CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) -Brazil, and Universidade Federal do Pampa.

Notes on contributors

Guilherme Salgado Carrazoni

Guilherme Salgado Carrazoni, currently a PhD student in physiological sciences whose work focus on exercise and memory. Studies maternal behavior, physiology teaching and learning, development of educational resources, and is interested in animal pose estimation.

Nathália Billig Garces

Nathália Billig Garces, currently works as biomedical assistant and is interest in healthy and cosmetics resources.

Caroline Ramires Cadore

Caroline Ramires Cadore, currently a PhD student in physiological sciences. Her works focus on pain and the endocannabinoid system.

Priscila Marques Sosa

Priscila Marques Sosa, currently occupies a post-doc position in a physiology research group. Her work also focuses on memory, behavior, and physiology teaching and learning.

Roberta Cattaneo

Roberta Cattaneo, currently coordinates a hospital's teaching and research unity. Past research fields include oxidative stress, animal and vegetal production, as well natural products.

Pâmela Billig Mello-Carpes

Pâmela Billig Mello-Carpes, professor of physiology. Coordinates a physiology research group focused on neurophysiology, memory, and physiology teaching and learning. Also conducts studies in educational resources and translational research on memory.