Β- Glucan, a Polysaccharide Found in Avena sativa (Oat), Attenuated Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rodents via Normalizing Corticosterone Levels

The current study was aimed at exploring the effect of β-glucan (a naturally occurring polysaccharide) on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced impairment in learning and memory. Briefly, the animal model of CUMS was generated (28 days) followed by assessment of the efficacy of β-glucan (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg) on learning and memory in Morris water maze (MWM). Moreover, the weight variation during the course of experiment and post-MWM corticosterone levels was also noted. Our data showed that the β-glucan provided dose dependent protection against deleterious effects of stress on spatial memory, which became statistically significant at 10 mg/kg. In similar manner, it has also antagonized the stress induced weight loss and corticosterone elevation. Taking everything into account, it can be deduced that β-glucan possesses therapeutic potential against stress induced cognitive impairment and this effect can be attributed to its normalizing effect on corticosterone levels