Neuroprotective Potential of Spirulina Platensis Against Aluminium Chloride-Induced Neural Degeneration

Free radicals are involved in neurodegenerative disorders such as ischemia and aging. Treatments with Spirulina have been shown to reduce neurodegenerative changes in animals. The present study has been designed to examine the potential neuroprotective effects of Spirulina platensis (Sp.) against Al[Cl.sub.3]-induced neurotoxicity in different regions of brain (cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hind brain) of rats. Al[Cl.sub.3] caused significant increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] and aluminium concentration, while decrease glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GST and GPx), total thiol content, monoamine oxidase, [Na.sup.+]-[K.sup.+] ATPase and total ATPase. These results were confirmed by histopathological and fluorescence examination of different regions of brain. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus of Al[Cl.sub.3] showed loss of normal structure, neuronal degeneration and increase in the number of neurodegenerative features, more illuminated aggregates, higher fluorescence emission intensity in the presence of amyloid protein fibrils. While, the presence of Spirulina with Al[Cl.sub.3] in the combination group exhibited more normal neurons with few pyknotic nuclei and residual fine vacuolations and reduction in the number of illuminate aggregates. Collectively, Spirulina platensis supplementation could overcome Al[Cl.sub.3]-induced neurodegenerative disorder by abolishing oxidative tissue injuries. Keywords: Al[Cl.sub.3], Histopathological and fluorescent examination, Oxidative stress, Rats, Spirulina platensis