Evaluation of the Effect of C-phycocyanin on Cultured Rat Primary Hippocampal Astrocytes Undergoing Trophic Factor Deprivation

Hippocampal astrocytes play a pivotal role in hippocampal functions. However, trophic factor deprivation during brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases leads to abnormal functions. C-phycocyanin (C-Pc) is an antioxidant compound derived from Spirulina. C-Pc has been studied as a neuroprotectant against brain damage and diseases, however, its effects on hippocampal astrocytes cultured under trophic factor deprivation are unclear. Presently, serum deprivation lowered the metabolic activities, decreasing NADPH diaphorase activity, and decreased production of superoxide dismutase in astrocytes. These effects were reversed after C-Pc treatment. The upregulated NADPH diaphorase activity in activated astrocytes resulted in the increased production of nitric oxide, which protected the hippocampal astrocytes from the harsh trophic factor-deprived environment.