NEUROPROTECTIVE AND MYOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF DIETARY BOLDINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON COGNITIVE AND MOTOR DECLINE DURING AGING

Aging is accompanied by cognitive and motor impairments driven by neuroinflammation and progressive muscle deterioration, highlighting the need for interventions capable of mitigating these processes. This study aimed to evaluate whether dietary supplementation with boldine, a natural alkaloid extracted from Peumus boldus with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can attenuate age‑associated cognitive and motor dysfunction. Adult animals received a daily 50 mg/kg boldine‑supplemented diet for five months, and its effects on cognitive decline, neuroinflammation, motor impairment, and sarcopenia were assessed. Boldine supplementation significantly reduced glial reactivity in the hippocampus and cortex, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses. Treated animals also showed improved performance in the Y‑maze test and enhanced long‑term memory in the novel object recognition task. Motor function was similarly improved, with a significant increase in mean latency to fall in the Rotarod test. These motor benefits may be linked to reduced muscle fiber atrophy, enhanced regenerative capacity, and a lower number of tubular aggregates—typical age‑related abnormalities associated with impaired proteostasis and inefficient muscle contraction. Overall, the results demonstrate a beneficial role of boldine in processes associated with aging. The observed improvements in glial reactivity, memory performance, and motor function, together with evidence of reduced muscle degeneration and fewer tubular aggregates, provide strong support for the potential of this phytochemical to preserve cognitive and motor functions during aging.