Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Plentiful in Japanese Mandarin Orange, Prevents Age-Related Cognitive Dysfunction and Oxidative Damage in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse Brain

Increased oxidative stress is known to accelerate age-related pathologies. Beta-cryptoxanthin (beta-CRX, (3R)-beta,beta-caroten-3-ol) is a potent antioxidant that is highly rich in Satsuma mandarin orange (mandarin), which is the most popular fruit in Japan. We investigated the antioxidative and anti-aging effects of beta-CRX and mandarin using senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP10), which were characterized by a short lifespan, high generation of superoxide anions in the brain and poor learning ability with aging. beta-CRX (0.5-5.0 mu g/ml) or mandarin juice (3.8-38.0%) was added to drinking water of SAMP10 one to 12 months of age. beta-CRX was dose-dependently incorporated into the cerebral cortex and the contents were similar to the concentration of beta-CRX in the human frontal lobe. These mice also had higher learning ability. The level of DNA oxidative damage was significantly lower in the cerebral cortex of mice that ingested beta-CRX and mandarin than control mice. In addition, the mice that ingested beta-CRX (> 1.5 mu g/ml) and mandarin (> 11.3%) exhibited a higher survival when 12 month-old, the presenile age of SAMP10, than control mice. These results suggest that beta-CRX is incorporated into the brain and has an important antioxidative role and anti-aging effect.