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The neurodevelopment period is susceptible to alterations by genetic and environmental factors, such as the exposure to organophosphates (OP). The OP is neurotoxic and has been associated with neurological diseases pathophysiology. The OP temephos is widely used against Aedes aegypti in Brazil’s public health programs.PurposeTo evaluate behavioral effects of prenatal exposition to temephos in Wistar rats.MethodsFirst, we divided pregnant females into groups: those who received temephos diluted in distilled water by gavage between gestational days 6–13 and those who received only distilled water in the same period and volume. Then, we divided pups according to sex and exposure, and we made the behavioral tests on postnatal day 30.ResultsPrenatal exposure to temephos caused hyperactivity, stereotyped behavior, and social impairment in animals.ConclusionThese results are similar to the altered behavior presented in some neurobiological diseases models, like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and this study may bring a red alert to the large use of temephos in Brazil, due to the damage caused by its exposure.

Objective 6‐Shogaol, bioactive compound of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of 6‐shogaol on behavioral parameters in a preclinical model based on a maternal immune activation (MIA) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methodology Twelve pregnant Wistar rats received 100‐μg/kg LPS or saline solution on gestational day (GD) 9.5. Male offspring participated in the study and in the postnatal day (PND) 30 and 55 were supplemented with 6‐shogaol or saline solution, by gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, orally for 5 days. In the PND 35 and 60 was performed the behavioral tests: grooming, crossing, and rearing that evaluated repetitive movements, anxiety, and interest in the new, respectively, and the inhibitory avoidance test that evaluated short‐term (STM) and long‐term memory (LTM). Result Prenatal exposure to LPS increased the grooming and crossing episodes at different ages and reduced rearing episodes in PND 37. Treatment with 6‐shogaol reversed these parameters. In the inhibitory avoidance test, an improvement of memory was identified with 6‐shogaol in the STM and LTM at both ages comparing training and test session of treated groups and between groups. Conclusion Administration of 6‐shogaol reverses the stereotypy, exploratory behavior, and memory impairment in prenatal LPS‐exposed offspring, acting as a promising therapeutic component against brain disorders associated with the process of MIA.

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6-Shogaol is one of the main active phenolic components of ginger and has neuroprotective effects by protecting brain against the oxidative stress and regulate the levels of neurotrophic factors. The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of 6-shogaol on neurochemical parameters in offspring after maternal immune activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. Twelve pregnant Wistar rats received 100 μg/kg of LPS or saline solution on the gestational day 9.5. Male offspring participated in the study and from the postnatal days (PND) 30 and 55, respectively, they were supplemented with 6-shogaol or saline solution, by gavage at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, orally for 5 days. In PND 37 and 62, analysis of kinase signaling regulated by extracellular signal 1/2 (ERK 1/2), levels of neurotrophic factor derived from the brain (BDNF), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), lipid and protein oxidative damage was evaluated by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), respectively, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was performed in the hippocampus. Prenatal exposure to LPS significantly decreased ERK and BDNF levels in PND 37 and 62, increased NSE levels and lipid damage in rats in PND 37, and increased 3-NT level in rats in PND 62. With treatment using 6-shogaol, an increase in ERK and BDNF levels was identified in PND 37 and 62 and a reduction in HNE and MPO activity in rats in PND 37 and 62, respectively. 6-Shogaol positively increased markers of neuronal growth, plasticity and synaptic activity and reduced oxidative damage in the hippocampus in an animal model of autism by maternal immune activation.