Effect of astaxanthin on short term memory and levels of reduced glutathione and mitochondrial complex IV in scopolamine treated mice

Researchers have failed to find the cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) since it was first diagnosed in 1910 until now. The drugs available in the market are only able to alleviate the symptoms experienced by AD's patient, not treating the disease. This is a main concern because AD is a serious brain disorder that often occurs in old age. In this research, the effect of astaxanthin (AST) on memory enhancement was studied. We also investigated reduced glutathione and mitochondrial complex IV levels on scopolamine-induced mice to see the effect of AST on memory enhancement. The effect of AST was studied by using Morris water maze test, biochemical assay (reduced glutathione) and mitochondrial enzyme estimation (mitochondrial complex IV). Based on this study, we found that AST does not lessen the symptoms of AD. It did not show increase in GSH nor COX IV levels. It may have antioxidant effect but this is not seen in this study using SCP-induced mice.