Background:
Chronic stress elevates the cortisol beyond normal levels, which affects cognition including learning & memory. This injurious effect is primarily mediated via over excitation of metabotropic glucocorticoid receptors
(mGR).
Methods:
The present study was aimed appraise the neuroprotective effects of naturally occurring molecule β-1,3-glucan by
interfering with stress-cortisol-mGR axis. Our data of virtual screening (in silico) exhibited the promising interactions of βglucan with the mGR. Therefore, the study was extended to evaluate its efficacy (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg/ i.p) in an animal
model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS, 28 days) induced memory impairment.
Results:
Results of the current study revealed the β-glucan provided dose dependent protection against deleterious effects of
stress on learning and memory associated parameters observed in Morris water maze (MWM) task. At higher tested doses, it
has also significantly antagonized the stress induced weight loss and corticosterone elevation.
Conclusion:
From these findings, it can be deduced that the β-glucan possesses therapeutic potential against stress induced
memory impairment, and this effect can be attributed to its normalizing effect on corticosterone levels.