Ameliorative effects of astaxanthin on brain tissues of alzheimer's disease-like model: cross talk between neuronal-specific microRNA-124 and related pathways.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive, multifactorial, and the most common neurodegenerative disease which causes dementia and mental deterioration in the elderly. The available treatments for AD are not disease-modifying drugs and only provide symptomatic relief. Astaxanthin (ATX), a second-generation antioxidant, is a dark red carotenoid and exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiapoptotic effects.

Inhibitory effect of acetylcholine on monoamine oxidase A and B activity in different parts of rat brain.

Acetylcholine (CAS 60-31-1, ACh), which is similar in its chemical structure to the carbamate aldicarb, was found to inhibit brain monoamine oxidase isoenzymes, namely MAO-A and B. The effect of ACh on both isoenzymes extracted from the whole brain of male albino rats and its different parts (frontal cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata) was studied. The results indicated that ACh inhibited MAO-A from the cerebellum and MAO-B from the basal ganglia more than MAO iso-enzymes from other brain parts.

Synthetic organic hard capsule colouring agents: in vitro effect on human true and pseudo-cholinesterases.

Hard capsules are made of pure gelatin and small quantities of additives, including colouring agents permitted for use in food. In this study, the effects of three colouring agents (sunset yellow, quinoline yellow and erythrosine) on true and pseudo-cholinesterases (ChE) are assessed in erythrocytes and plasma, respectively. Results indicated that the synthetic compounds affected both true and pseudo ChE activity.