Age-dependent effects of Spirulina platensis ethanol extract supplementation on brain malondialdehyde levels in young adult Wistar rats

Background: Oxidative stress, reflected by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, is a key mediator of brain aging and neurodegeneration. Spirulina platensis, rich in phycocyanin and other antioxidants, is hypothesized to reduce lipid peroxidation and attenuate brain oxidative stress.
Objective: To investigate the age-dependent effects of Spirulina platensis ethanol extract supplementation on brain MDA levels in young adult male Wistar rats aged 12, 18, and 24 weeks.
Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=5 per group): three control groups receiving distilled water and three treatment groups receiving 200 mg/kgBW of Spirulina platensis ethanol extract by oral gavage for 29 days, starting at 8, 14, and 20 weeks of age, respectively, and sacrificed at 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Brain tissue MDA levels were measured using the Wills method (thiobarbituric acid assay) with UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 530 nm. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey test, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: In control groups, brain MDA levels showed a declining trend with age: 1.702±0.185, 1.286±0.272, and 1.108±0.306 nmol/mL at 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively, with a significant difference between 12-week and 24-week groups (p=0.037). In Spirulina-treated groups, MDA levels were 1.835±0.361, 0.992±0.286, and 1.214±0.311 nmol/mL at 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between Spirulina-treated and control groups at any corresponding age (p=0.978, p=0.610, and p=0.992 at 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively).
Conclusion: Spirulina platensis ethanol extract at 200 mg/kgBW does not significantly reduce brain MDA levels in young adult Wistar rats across all age groups. Brain MDA levels tend to decrease with age in young adult rats, independent of Spirulina supplementation.