Effects of long-term administration of a cocoa polyphenolic extract (Acticoa powder) on cognitive performances in aged rats.
Numerous studies have indicated that increased vulnerability to oxidative stress may be the main factor involved in functional declines during normal and pathological ageing, and that antioxidant agents, such as polyphenols, may improve or prevent these deficits. We examined whether 1-year administration of a cocoa polyphenolic extract (Acticoa powder), orally delivered at the dose of 24 mg/kg per d between 15 and 27 months of age, affects the onset of age-related cognitive deficits, urinary free dopamine levels and lifespan in old Wistar-Unilever rats. Acticoa powder improved cognitive performances in light extinction and water maze paradigms, increased lifespan and preserved high urinary free dopamine levels. These results suggest that Acticoa powder may be beneficial in retarding age-related brain impairments, including cognitive deficits in normal ageing and perhaps neurodegenerative diseases. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms of cocoa polyphenols in neuroprotection and to explore their effects in man.
Bisson
Jean-François
JF
ETAP-Applied Ethology, 13 rue du Bois de la Champelle, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy 54500, France.
Nejdi
Amine
A
Rozan
Pascale
P
Hidalgo
Sophie
S
Lalonde
Robert
R
Messaoudi
Michaël
M
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000652:urine; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D059808:Polyphenols; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D004298:Dopamine