Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Isolation, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of seaweed poly-/oligosaccharides in inorganic arsenic exposure-induced cognitive impairments by targeting gut-microflora-brain axis |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Focus area : | Pharmacology, Environmental Toxicology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Dhirendra Pratap Singh, ICMR- National Institute Of Occupational Health, Gujarat |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | dpsingh14@outlook.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | Arsenic (As), a metalloid and one of the most prevalent environmental toxins contaminate groundwater and shallow aquifers due to natural or anthropogenic activities. The neurotoxic potential of arsenic are well documented and various mechanism for this action was proposed. Gut microbiota, by modulation of the gut-brain axis, has emerged as a potential target, which can modulate various brain functions. Additionally, the negative impact of arsenic on the resident gut microbiota is identified. Novelty: Being FDA-approved food ingredients many of the seaweed polysaccharides and their degraded structures will be non-toxic for administration. Further several of the extracts has potential for application in cognition management. Not many studies to use seaweed components for cognition studies have been done so far also mechanistic insights on their modulatory effects on gut microbial ecosystem and effects on brain function is a relatively less explored avenue. Objectives: To extract and chemically characterize the polysaccharides from seaweeds (Rhodophycea, Chlorophycea and Phaecophycea) and preparation of their oligomers by chemical and enzymatic degradation, and preparation of crude extracts from Sargassum spp. Such potential extracts from seaweeds will be evaluated in a validated rodent model against inorganic arsenic (As3+) exposure-induced cognitive impairments. Methods: Alkali treatment, pressurized hot water, or soxhlet refluxing with modified protocols will be utilized for the extraction of polysaccharides from various seaweeds. FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS based chemical characterization and their physical properties will be evaluated. In-vitro toxicities in various cell lines will be evaluated. Mice exposed to As (III) and supplemented with seaweed poly-/oligo-saccharides will be evaluated for spatial and working memory using validated behavioral test battery. Hippocampal, and serum neurotransmitter levels and investigations on key genes and proteins involved in inflammation in the gut and brain will be performed. Gut health in terms of its barrier functioning, short chain fatty acid production, histological changes, and 16S rRNA-based metagenomics analysis for bacterial abundance and diversity will be evaluated. Expected outcomes: Anticipating the potentially beneficial prebiotic effects of seaweed carbohydrates, the use of such phyconutrients in environmental toxicants induced behavioral aberration is expected. Information from the gut microbial modulation properties will be used for the development/search of possible food-based applications. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Ramavatar Meena, CSIR-Central Salt Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat-364002, Dr. Santasabuj Das, National Institute Of Cholera And Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, West Bengal-700010, Dr. Pramod Bapurao Shinde, CSIR-Central Salt Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat-364002, Dr. Kamalesh Prasad, CSIR-Central Salt Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Gujarat-364002 |
Total Budget (INR): | 39,56,360 |
Organizations involved