High-fat diet-induced memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior in rats attenuated by peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit via atheroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions

Abstract

Background

Pineapple peel is a waste component of pineapple with valuable source of metabolites as phytoactive compounds in ameliorating metabolic-related disorders. This study investigated the atheroprotective and neuroprotective effects of peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit (PEAC) in normal diet (ND) and high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were fed ND or HFD for 9 weeks, and beginning from the 6 ^th week animals were also orally treated with PEAC (200 mg/kg). Memory performance was assessed using Y-maze test (YMT) and novel object recognition test (NORT) while anxiolytic-like effect was assessed on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were determined, while LDL-C and atherogenic risk calculated. Serum and brain tissue malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase were determined. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity and interleukin-6 level were also determined.

Results

PEAC significantly attenuated HFD-induced reduction in correct alternation in YMT, and discrimination index in NORT. Also, PEAC demonstrated anxiolytic-like activity in EPM test. PEAC significantly improved lipid profile and decreased risk of atherogenicity in ND and HFD-fed rats. In addition, PEAC improves serum and brain antioxidant status by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing GSH and catalase. PEAC significantly impaired HFD-induced brain acetylcholinesterase activity and IL-6 levels.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit may protect against diet-induced behavioral disturbances via atheroprotective, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities.

Highlight

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  This study investigated health promoting potentials of Pineapple peels.

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  High-fat diet induced neurobehavioral deficits in mice.

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  Pineapple peel extract prevented HFD-induced memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior.

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  Pineapple peel extract demonstrated atheroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties in rats.