The effects of ellagic acid on anxiety-like, depression-like behaviors and oxidative stress in male rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Background and Aim : This aim of this study was evaluation the effects of ellagic acid on anxiety-like, depression-like behaviors and oxidative stress in male rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).Methods : Fourty eight male Wistar rats weighing 250- 300 g divided into six groups randomly with 8 in each: 1) Sham: rats submitted to the surgery without the occlusion of carotid arteries, received DMSO/ normal saline (10%) as solvent of ellagic acid, 5 ml / kg three times daily for one week. I/R groups were divided into the following 2 to 5 subgroups: 2) Received DMSO/ normal saline. 3-5) Received 50, 75, and 100 mg / kg ellagic acid, respectively, according to its half-life of 8 hours, three times daily for one week. 6) Positive control, included healthy rats receiving the most effective dose of ellagic acid three times daily for one week. The cerebral I/R injury was induced by separation of the common carotid arteries from other surrounding tissue and gently separated from the vagus nerve, clamping for 20 minutes and then blood flow was established again by removing the clips. Elevated plus maze (EPM) used to study anxiolytic, the forced swimming test (FST) was used to measure the level of depression and oxidative stress enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by special ELISA kit.Results : Brain ischemia caused significant increase anxiety, depression and oxidative stress of the brain tissue damage (p<0.001). Administration of ellagic acid for one week and three times a day could significantly reduce ischemic disturbances on anxiety and depression behaviors(p<0.001) and damage caused by increased oxidative stress(p<0.001)Conclusion : The findings of this study indicate that ellagic acid can be used as a therapeutic strategy through decrease anxiety and depression by reducing the oxidative stress and cytokines induced by ischemic inflammation.

Keywords:

Ellagic acid , Anxiety , Depression , oxidative stress , Male Rat , Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion