Protective Effects of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharides on Cognitive Function and Gut Microbiota in the Elderly: An Insight into Anti-Aging Mechanisms
The aging population is a growing global issue, with the number of people aged 60 and over projected to increase to 1.4 billion by 2030. This process is associated with a weakening of physiological and behavioral functions, leading to diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cognitive dysfunction. Causes include oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, which damage the brain and reduce learning and memory abilities.
The hippocampus, a key brain region, regulates learning and memory, and its pathological changes are linked to cognitive dysfunction. Recent studies show that inhibiting oxidative stress damage in the hippocampus can alleviate age-related mental decline.
Polysaccharides from plants like Cistanche deserticola, Codonopsis pilosula, Lycium barbarum, and Polygonatum sibiricum (PSP) have been shown to have anti-aging effects. PSP also has properties that can help fight tumors, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Studies on aged rats suggest that Polygonatum sibiricum improves learning and memory by reducing oxidative stress and protecting synaptic plasticity.
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal tract homeostasis and affects the brain through the gut-brain axis. Intestinal dysbiosis can impact cognition and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis. Recent research indicates that gut microbiota can delay aging and reduce cognitive decline.
In this study, a D-galactose-induced rapid aging model was used to examine the effects of Polygonatum sibiricum on gut bacteria and metabolites in aged mice, providing insights into the potential anti-aging mechanisms of PSP through the gut-brain axis.
The authors investigated the effect of polysaccharides extracted from Polygonatum sibiricum on spatial memory, pathological changes in brain tissues, and oxidative stress damage in D-galactose-induced aged mice.
D-galactose, a simple sugar found in various foods, is used in experimental studies to induce aging in animal models, as it can disrupt carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, causing oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to cellular aging.
Polygonatum sibiricum extract showed an improvement in cognitive functions, a reduction in pathological changes in brain tissues, and a decrease in oxidative stress damage in mice. The authors noted that the effect of this extract on spatial memory is dose-dependent and comparable to that of a drug used to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
In summary, the results of this study indicate that natural substances like Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides and curcumin may have protective properties against age-related cognitive dysfunction. Additionally, metabolomic assessment could be useful for evaluating these supplements’ impact on patients’ metabolic profiles.
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Source: Zhao Liu, Sharmeen Fayyaz, Di Zhao, Ziyang Yi, Jian-hua Huang, Rong-rong Zhou, Jing Xie, Ping-an Liu, Wei He, Shui-han Zhang, De-hua Xiao, Yu-hui Qin, Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides improve cognitive function in D-galactose-induced aging mice by regulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 103, 2023, 105476, ISSN 1756-4646, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2023.105476.
