IntroductionIn the present study, the effect of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG) on neurogenesis indicators, learning and memory, and oxidative stress status in juvenile hypothyroid (Hypo) rats was evaluated.MethodThe studied groups were including: (a) Control, (b) Hypo, (c–e) Hypo‐AG 10, Hypo‐AG 20, and Hypo‐AG 30. Hypothyroidism was induced in the groups 2–5 by adding propylthiouracil in drinking water (0.05%). AG (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg) was daily injected intraperitoneally in the groups 3–5. The rats of the groups 1 and 2 were injected by saline instead of AG. After 6 weeks treatment, Morris water maze (MMW) and passive avoidance (PA) tests were done. Deep anesthesia was then induced and the brain tissue was excised for biochemical parameters measuring.ResultsKi67 as a maker of neurogenesis and thiol, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) as oxidative stress indicators were decreased in the brain of Hypo group, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO metabolites were enhanced. AG improved Ki67, thiol, CAT, and SOD while decreased MDA and NO metabolites. The escape latency in the MWM test increased in the Hypo group. The spending time in the target quadrant in the probe test of MWM and step‐through latency in the PA test in the Hypo group was lower than Control group. AG reversed all the negative behavioral effects of hypothyroidism.ConclusionThese results revealed that AG improved neurogenesis, learning and memory impairments, and oxidative imbalance in the brain juvenile Hypo rats.
Background:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major neurodegenerative disorder with multiple manifestations, including oxidative stress, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) depletion, and cholinergic dysfunction. Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) is identified as a potential source of nutrition for alleviating various ailments. The current study assessed the ameliorating properties of C. spinosa hydroethanolic extract on memory dysfunction and the possible roles of oxidative stress and BDNF in the scopolamine (Scop)-treated rats.
Methods:
Forty male Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: Control, Scop (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)), Scop + C. spinosa 150, and Scop + C. spinosa 300 groups. The rats were given C. spinosa extract (150 or 300 mg/kg, oral) for 3 weeks. During the third week, passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were done to assess memory and learning performance. Finally, oxidative stress markers and BDNF in the brain tissue were evaluated.
Results:
Scop injection was associated with a significant increase in the time latency and travelled distance to reach the platform during the learning phase of MWM In the probe test, the Scop-treated rats showed a lower time and distance in the target area. Furthermore, Scop injection significantly decreased the latency to enter the dark while increasing the dark time and the frequency of entries to the dark zone of the PA task. C. spinosa extract effectively reversed the behavioural changes induced by Scop. Treatment with the extract also significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, thiols, and BDNF, while decreasing malondialdehyde production in the brains of the Scop-injured rats.
Conclusion:
C. spinosa hydroethanolic extract successfully ameliorated Scop-induced memory impairment by modifying BDNF and oxidative stress markers in the brain of amnesic rats.
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