Berberine Hydrochloride Improves Cognitive Function and Hippocampal Antioxidant Status in Subchronic and Chronic Lead Poisoning.
10.1007/s11655-024-3907-1
- Author:
Fatemeh Zare MEHRJERDI
1
;
Azadeh Shahrokhi RAEINI
2
;
Fatemeh Sadate ZEBHI
2
;
Zeynab HAFIZI
2
;
Reyhaneh MIRJALILI
2
;
Faezeh Afkhami AGHDA
2
Author Information
1. Yazd Neuroendocrine Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, 8915133149, Iran. mehzaref@gmail.com.
2. Yazd Neuroendocrine Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, 8915133149, Iran.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Morris water maze;
berberine;
hippocampus;
lead acetate;
oxidative stress
- MeSH:
Animals;
Hippocampus/pathology*;
Rats, Wistar;
Antioxidants/pharmacology*;
Berberine/therapeutic use*;
Cognition/drug effects*;
Male;
Lead Poisoning/metabolism*;
Chronic Disease;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*;
Maze Learning/drug effects*;
Rats;
Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects*;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
- From:
Chinese journal of integrative medicine
2025;31(1):49-54
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:To determine the neuroprotective effects of berberine hydrochloride (BBR) against lead-induced injuries on the hippocampus of rats.
METHODS:Wistar rats were exposed orally to doses of 100 and 500 ppm lead acetate for 1 and 2 months to develop subchronic and chronic lead poisening models, respectively. For treatment, BBR (50 mg/kg daily) was injected intraperitoneally to rats poisoned with lead. At the end of the experiment, the spatial learning and memory of rats were assessed using the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal tissue changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde levels as parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant status of the hippocampus were evaluated.
RESULTS:BBR reduced cognitive impairment in rats exposed to lead (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The resulting biochemical changes included a decrease in the activity of antioxidants and an increase in lipid peroxidation of the hippocampus of lead-exposed rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01), which were significantly modified by BBR (P<0.05). BBR also increased the density of healthy cells in the hippocampus of leadexposed rats (P<0.05). Significant changes in tissue morphology and biochemical factors of the hippocampus were observed in rats that received lead for 2 months (P<0.05). Most of these changes were insignificant in rats that received lead for 1 month.
CONCLUSION:BBR can improve oxidative tissue changes and hippocampal dysfunction in lead-exposed rats, which may be due to the strong antioxidant potential of BBR.
