Chlorella sorokiniana Extract Improves Short-Term Memory in Rats.
Increasing evidence shows that eukaryotic microalgae and, in particular, the green microalgaChlorella, can be used as natural sources to obtain a whole variety of compounds, such as omega (ω)-3 and ω-6 polyunsatured fatty acids (PUFAs). Although either beneficial or toxic effects ofChlorella sorokinianahave been mainly attributed to its specific ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs content, the underlying molecular pathways remain to be elucidated yet. Here, we investigate the effects of an acute oral administration of a lipid extract ofChlorella sorokiniana, containing mainly ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs, on cognitive, emotional and social behaviour in rats, analysing possible underlying neurochemical alterations. Our results showed improved short-term memory inChlorella sorokiniana-treated rats compared to controls, without any differences in exploratory performance, locomotor activity, anxiety profile and depressive-like behaviour. On the other hand, while the social behaviour ofChlorella sorokiniana-treated animals was significantly decreased, no effects on aggressivity were observed. Neurochemical investigations showed region-specific effects, consisting in an elevation of noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) content in hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. In conclusion, our results point towards a beneficial effect ofChlorella sorokinianaextract on short-term memory, but also highlight the need of caution in the use of this natural supplement due to its possible masked toxic effects.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy. mariagrazia.morgese@unifg.it.
Maria Grazia
MG
Morgese
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy. emanuela.mhillaj@uniroma1.it.
Emanuela
E
Mhillaj
STAR Agroenergy Research Group, University of Foggia, Via Gramsci, 89-91, Foggia 71121, Italy. matteo.francavilla@unifg.it.|Institute of Marine Science, National Research Council, via Pola 4, Lesina 71010, Italy. matteo.francavilla@unifg.it.
Matteo
M
Francavilla
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy. maria.bove@uniroma1.it.
Maria
M
Bove
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy. luciamorgano@alice.it.
Lucia
L
Morgano
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy. paolo.tucci@unifg.it.
Paolo
P
Tucci
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy. luigia.trabace@unifg.it.
Luigia
L
Trabace
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy. stefania.schiavone@unifg.it.
Stefania
S
Schiavone
Chlorella sorokiniana; emotional behaviour; hippocampus; noradrenaline; serotonin; short-term memory
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