Although inflammation is a reactive to injurious stimuli and considered as beneficial process in body, but it causes some discomforts, such as pain. Murine dietary contains appreciable amounts of fatty acids and antioxidants which encourages researchers to focus on their potential therapeutic effects. This study is aimed to examine the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Neptune krill oil (NKO) and fish oil (FO) in rodent model which are two well-known sources of rich content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), mostly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). NKO and FO were used at the same dose of 500 mg and also balanced at similar doses of EPA: 12 in NKO vs. 12 in FO wt%, DHA: 7 NKO vs. 8 FO wt%. Application of NKO and FO in acetic acid-induced writhing effect, hot plate, and formalin induced test, indicated the nociceptive activity of the two tested drugs in comparison with normal saline. Also, the anti-inflammatory effect of these supplements was confirmed by carrageenan test. Analysis of cytokines levels in the blood samples of the mice after induction inflammation by carrageenan indicated decreased levels of those proteins compared to that in the normal groups. Both tested drugs, effectively could reduce severe inflammation and pain in rodents in comparison with the references drugs (depends on the tests); however, NKO was found to be more effective.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs following different types of crushes. External and internal outcomes of SCI are including paralysis, cavity, and cyst formation. Effects of dietary derived antioxidants, such as palm vitamin E on central nervous system (CNS) encourage researchers to focus on the potential therapeutic benefits of antioxidant supplements. In the present study, experiments were carried out to evaluate the neuro-protective effect of the palm vitamin E on locomotor function and morphological damages induced SCI. Seventy-two male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were randomly divided into four groups: sham (laminectomy); control (supplemented with the palm vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day); untreated-SCI (partial crush, 30–33% for 20 sec); treated-SCI (partial crush, 30–33% for 20 sec supplemented with the palm vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day). The treatment with the palm vitamin E significantly improved the hind limb locomotor function, reduced the histopathological changes and the morphological damage in the spinal cord. Also, the palm vitamin E indicated a statistically significant decrease in the oxidative damage indicators, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the treated-SCI compared to the untreated-SCI.

Oxidative stress has significant role in pathophysiology of any kind of depression through actions of free radicals, non-radical molecules, and unbalancing antioxidant systems in body. In the current study, antidepressant responses of fish oil (FO), Neptune krill oil (NKO), vitamin B12 (Vit B12), and also imipramine (IMP) as the reference were studied. Natural light was employed to induce stress in the animals followed by oral administration of the drugs for 14 days. The antidepressant effect was assessed by tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers were then measured in the brain tissue of the animals. The administration of FO and NKO could significantly reduce the immobility of the animals; while, increasing climbing and swimming time compared to the normal saline in CUS-control group in TST and FST, similarly to IMP but not with Vit B12. Vit B12 could not effect on SOD activity and H2O2 level, but, cause decrease of the malondialdihydric (MDA) level and CAT activity, as well as increased the GPx and GSH activities. The rest treatments led to decrease of MDA, H2O2 levels and CAT activity and increase of GPx, SOD, GSH activities.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.