Ellagic acid prevents cognitive and hippocampal long-term potentiation deficits and brain inflammation in rat with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

AimsTraumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the main clinical problems globally and is a common cause of death among youth. Cognitive defects such as thinking, memory and behavior or mental health disorders are considered as the most frequent effects of severe and moderate TBI. It has been reported that ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol, exhibits protective effects against oxidative damage. This study was performed to examine the EA preventive effects on cognitive impairments, long-term potentiation (LTP) deficits in hippocampus and brain inflammation induced by diffuse TBI in rat. Main methodsSubchronic oral administration of 100mg/kg EA, 7 consecutive days before induction of trauma (once daily) was used to elucidate the EA effects on passive avoidance memory and hippocampal LTP following TBI. To illustrate the possible mechanisms related to the preventive effects of EA on brain function following TBI, brain content of IL-1β, IL-6 and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability were determined. Key findingsEA pretreatment significantly (P<0.001) prevented TBI-induced memory and hippocampal LTP impairments in rat. Furthermore TBI induced elevation in brain content of IL-1β, IL-6 and BBB permeability were decreased significantly (P<0.001) due to EA pre-treatment. SignificanceOur findings suggest that EA can prevent cognitive and LTP deficits and also prevent brain inflammation following TBI.