Evidence for neuroprotection by Bacillus coagulans ATCC 7050 via synaptic plasticity and oxidative balance in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, synaptic impairment, and oxidative stress. Probiotics with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been proposed as potential adjunctive strategies. This study examined whether oral administration of Bacillus coagulans ATCC 7050 could attenuate hippocampal oxidative stress, modulate synaptic plasticity, and influence spatial working memory in an Aβ 1–42 -induced rat model of AD. Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to Sham, AD, BC (probiotic only), and AD + BC groups. Working memory was assessed by Y-maze, synaptic function by perforant path–dentate gyrus long-term potentiation (LTP) recordings, and oxidative status by hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) assays. AD rats exhibited reduced alternation percentage, impaired LTP (fEPSP slope and PS amplitude), elevated MDA, and decreased SOD and GPx activities versus Sham. B. coagulans treatment improved alternation percentage without affecting total entries, preserved PS amplitude from 30 min post-HFS, reduced MDA, and restored SOD activity, with partial GPx recovery. fEPSP slope remained reduced. These findings suggest B. coagulans ATCC 7050 mitigates oxidative stress, preserves neuronal excitability, and improves working memory in an Aβ-based AD model, supporting further investigation of its potential as a safe adjunct in early-stage disease.