Neurobehavioral Protection by Prebiotic Formulations in a Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impaired Zebrafish Model

The present work evaluates the influence of two prebiotic formulations-P1 (ColonX) and P4 (a product containing AnXietate extract), at concentrations of 3 and 6 mg/L-on scopolamine (SCOP, 100 μM)-induced cognitive dysfunction and anxiety-related behaviors in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). To assess behavioral alterations, wild-type fish were subjected to the novel tank assay (NTT), Y-maze study, and novel object recognition test protocol (NOR). The formulations were examined for potential anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity. In parallel, in vitro assays were performed to evaluate cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects. The results indicate that both prebiotic formulations effectively mitigated SCOP-induced behavioral impairments and improved cognitive performance in zebrafish. Furthermore, the prebiotic formulation P4 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity without inducing cytotoxicity. The study was conducted following ethical guidelines, ensuring scientific rigor and integrity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of prebiotics in alleviating anxiety and cognitive deficits, with promising implications for the management of neuropsychiatric disorders.