Title:Neuroprotective Efficacy of Edaravone against Arsenic-Induced Behavioral
and Neurochemical Deficits in Rats: Amelioration of Cholinergic
and Mitochondrial Functions
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Mandeep K. Arora*, Deepika Singh, Ritu Tomar and Ashok Jangra*
Affiliation:
- School of Pharmaceutical and Population Health Informatics, DIT University, Dehradun, India
- Department of
Pharmacology, KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad, India
- Department of
Pharmacology, KIET School of Pharmacy, KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, India
Keywords:
Arsenic, edaravone, oxidative-nitrosative stress, neurotoxicity, cognitive deficits, hippocampus.
Abstract:
Background: A substantial amount of evidence indicates that long-term arsenic exposure
leads to various types of pathological complications, especially cognitive dysfunction.
Objective: The present study was designed to assess the neuroprotective potential of edaravone (a
potent free radical scavenger) against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats.
Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Arsenic (20 mg/kg/day;
p.o.) and Edaravone (5 and 10 mg/kg/day; i.p.) were administered in different experimental groups for
28 days.
Results: The results of various behavioral test paradigms revealed that arsenic caused significant
learning and memory deficits, along with anxiety-like behavior. In biochemical analysis, we found
marked elevations of oxidative-nitrosative stress (indicated by augmentation of lipid peroxidation and
nitrite) and a reduction of glutathione levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex region of arsenictreated
rats. Moreover, arsenic administration caused mitochondrial complexes impairment and reduction
of acetylcholinesterase level. On the other hand, chronic treatment with edaravone (10 mg/kg)
significantly ameliorated the arsenic-induced behavioral deficits and neurochemical anomalies.
Conclusion: This study suggests that edaravone confers neuroprotection against arsenic-induced
memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior, which may be attributed to the inhibition of oxidativenitrosative
stress and amelioration of cholinergic and mitochondrial functions.