title: β-glucan attenuated scopolamine induced cognitive impairment via hippocampal acetylcholinesterase inhibition in rats.
abstract: β-glucan (polysaccharide) rich diet has been reported to enhance cognition in humans but the mechanism remained elusive. Keeping this in mind, the present study was designed to investigate the interaction of β-glucan with central cholinergic system. Briefly, in-silico analysis revealed promising interactions of β-glucan with the catalytic residues of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme. In line with this outcome, the in vitro assay (Ellman's method) also exhibited inhibition of AChE by β-glucan (IC50=0.68±0.08μg/µl). Furthermore, the in vivo study (Morris water maze) showed significant dose dependent reversal of the amnesic effect of scopolamine (2mg/kg i.p.) by β-glucan treatment (5, 25, 50 and 100mg/kg, i.p.). Finally, the hippocampi of aforementioned treated animals also revealed dose dependent inhibition of AChE enzyme. Hence, it can be deduced that β-glucan possesses potential to enhance central cholinergic tone via inhibiting AChE enzyme. In conclusion, the present study provides mechanistic insight to the cognition enhancing potential of β-glucan. Keeping in mind its dietary use and abundance in nature, it can be considered as economic therapeutic option against cognitive ailments associated with decline in cholinergic neurotransmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, KPK, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, KPK, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Wali
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Inam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, KPK, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahab Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, KPK, Pakistan.
authors.lastname: Hifza
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad 22060, KPK, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Wajahat
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Section, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan. Electronic address: ghulam.abbas@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ghulam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abbas
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D062105:Molecular Docking Simulation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D047071:beta-Glucans; D012601:Scopolamine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Cognitive impairment; Morris water maze; Scopolamine; β-glucan