Vasegh_2024_Acta.Neuropsychiatr__1

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive function plays a pivotal role in assessing an individual's quality of life. This research aimed to investigate how azelaic acid (AzA), a natural dicarboxylic acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, affects aluminium chloride (AlCl(3))-induced behavioural changes and biochemical alterations in the hippocampus of rats. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats divided into four groups received distilled water, AzA 50 mg/kg, AlCl(3) 100 mg/kg and AzA plus AlCl(3), respectively, by oral gavage for 6 weeks. Behavioural changes were evaluated using open-field maze, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition (NOR), passive avoidance task, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were examined. RESULTS: AzA significantly affected AlCl(3)-provoked anxiety-like behaviours and learning and memory impairments. It also reduced the toxic effect of AlCl(3) on MDA, carbonyl protein, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, NF-kappaB and GSK-3beta status; however, its beneficial effects on AlCl(3)-induced changes of CHOP, BDNF and AChE activity were not significant. CONCLUSION: These findings disclosed that AzA could improve behavioural and cognitive function and almost limit the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation caused by AlCl(3).