Jobelyn<sup>®</sup>, a Sorghum-Based Nutritional Supplement Attenuates Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress-Induced Memory Deficits in Mice

Abstract

The ability of an organism to adapt to aversive stressful situations or life challenging circumstances is very crucial to its state of health and survival. However, breakdown in adaptation due to persistent uncontrollable stress, leads to impairment of bodily functions and onset of a variety of pathological disorders especially memory decline. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Jobelyn ® (JB), a potent antioxidant sorghum-based food supplement on unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-induced memory impairment in mice. Male Swiss mice were given JB (5-50 mg/kg, p.o) 30 min prior to exposure to UCMS for 14 consecutive days before testing for memory. Thereafter, the serum corticosterone level was estimated by using ELISA kits. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) as well as acetylcholinesterase activity were estimated in the brain homogenate using spectrophotometer. Histology of the brain tissues and estimation of the populations of viable neurons in the hippocampal region were done after staining with hematoxyline and eosin. Our results showed that JB reversed memory impairment and suppressed corticosterone concentrations induced by UCMS. Moreover, JB reduced oxidative stress in the brain of UCMS-mice as shown by decreased MDA levels and elevated GSH concentrations. It also decreased * Corresponding author. S. Umukoro et al. 587 brain acetylcholinesterase activity when compared with chronic stress group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, JB (5-10 mg/kg, p.o) offered significant protection against UCMS-induced degeneration and death of neuronal cells of the cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) of the hippocampal region of the brain indicating neuroprotection. Taken together, these findings suggest that JB attenuates memory deficits induced by UCMS in mice and may be useful therapeutically for stress-related cognitive dysfunctions. The reduction in the levels of serum corticosterone, antioxidation, neuroprotection and inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme might be contributing significantly to the positive effect of JB on memory in mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress.

Methyl Jasmonate Ameliorates Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress‐Induced Behavioral and Biochemical Alterations in Mouse Brain

“…Thus, increased corticosterone level is often used as an important indicator of chronic stress response [de Kloet et al, ; Oken et al, ]. Excess cortisol produced during chronic stress response can damage vital organs of the body especially the brain via the induction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation [Bajpai et al, ; Munhoz et al, ; Oken et al, ; Umukoro et al, ; Vaváková et al, ]. There is a growing body of literature that supports a role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the pathophysiology of depression [Bajpai et al, ; Munhoz et al, ; Vaváková et al, ].…”

“…Stress is an integral component of human life and has been described as any condition capable of causing perturbation of the body's homeostasis [Oken et al, ; Umukoro et al, ]. However, stress is known to have dual effects on the brain and indeed on general body physiology [Chakravarty et al, ].…”

Polyphenol Rich Nutritional Supplement Derived from the West African <em>Sorghum Bicolor</em> Leaf Sheaths Has Evidence-Based Efficacy and Health Promoting Effects

“…UCMS is known to mimic the ways in which humans encounter multiple stressors on a daily basis, and is generally accepted as the most suitable model for elucidation of the pathological mechanisms of chronic stress-induced organ pathologies and immune dysfunctions. In a UCMS model, SBSJ also attenuated loss of neuronal cells in the Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) of the hippocampus (see Figure 6), suggesting a neuroprotective effect [120]. Moreover, it also reduced serum corticosterone concentrations [120], a major biomarker of chronic stress response.…”

“…In a UCMS model, SBSJ also attenuated loss of neuronal cells in the Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) of the hippocampus (see Figure 6), suggesting a neuroprotective effect [120]. Moreover, it also reduced serum corticosterone concentrations [120], a major biomarker of chronic stress response. It is well-known that cortisol-induced activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways is the primary culprit involved in the mediation of stress-related pathologies [8].…”

“…The first concrete experimental evidence of the potential adaptogenic activity of SBSJ was based on its reported ability of bringing about relief with respect to feelings of intense stress and as an energizer in the context of debilitating disease [16,19,24]. Its adaptogenic potential has also been demonstrated in unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS), as it attenuated memory deficits induced by UCMS through neuroprotective mechanisms relating to the suppression of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines [120]. UCMS is known to mimic the ways in which humans encounter multiple stressors on a daily basis, and is generally accepted as the most suitable model for elucidation of the pathological mechanisms of chronic stress-induced organ pathologies and immune dysfunctions.…”