Potential effects of genistein in preventing progressive loss of cognitive functions in wild-type mice.

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment occurring with age is an intermediate stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia. Precisely, because of the lack of unequivocal symptoms, the deterioration of cognitive functions that occurs with age is a growing concern for the aging population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the prophylactic potential of genistein (5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) in preventing memory loss of healthy individuals. The experiments were conducted using wild-type mice of both sexes that were not genetically modified. Analysis of cognitive processes in genistein-supplemented and untreated animals was carried out using behavioral tests (elevated plus maze, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze tests). In addition, microscopic assessment of the number of amyloid beta deposits in key brain structures for memory processes was performed. Our results suggest that genistein has a potential in preventing the impairment of memory processes resulting from aging. This proposal is supported not only by the results of behavioral tests, but also by microscopic analyses showing a reduction in the number of beta-amyloid aggregates in the brain after genistein supplementation.