Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Leg Med (Tokyo). 2024 Nov;71:102525. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102525. Epub 2024 Sep 3.
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Crocus sativus (Cs) on paraquat (PQ)-induced learning and memory deficits as well as brain and lung oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress in rats. Rats were exposed to saline (Ctrl) or PQ (PQ groups) aerosols. PQ groups were treated with 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone (Dexa), 20 and 80 mg/kg/day Cs-L and Cs-H, 5 mg/kg/day pioglitazone (Pio), and Cs-L+Pio for 16 days during PQ exposure period. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance tests. PQ group showed increased numbers of total and differential WBCs in blood, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA), in the serum, brain, and lung but reduced thiol, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the control group (for all, p < 0.001). The escape latency and traveled distance were increased in the PQ group. However, the time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test and the latency to enter the dark room were reduced after receiving an electrical shock (p < 0.05 to P<0.001). In all treated groups, measured values were improved compared to PQ group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The combination of Cs-L+Pio showed more pronounced effects compared to either treatment alone (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). These findings suggest that Cs has neuroprotective properties and may be beneficial in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases induced by noxious agents such as PQ.
本研究旨在探讨藏红花（Cs）对百草枯（PQ）诱导的学习记忆障碍以及大脑和肺部氧化应激和全身炎症和氧化应激的影响。大鼠暴露于盐水（Ctrl）或 PQ（PQ 组）气溶胶中。PQ 组以 0.03mg/kg/天地塞米松（Dexa）、20 和 80mg/kg/天地塞美松-L 和地塞美松-H、5mg/kg/天吡格列酮（Pio）以及 Cs-L+Pio 进行治疗，在 PQ 暴露期间每天 16 天。通过 Morris 水迷宫（MWM）和被动回避测试评估学习和记忆能力。与对照组相比，PQ 组血液中总白细胞和白细胞分类计数增加，血清、大脑和肺部丙二醛（MDA）增加，但巯基、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平降低（所有 P<0.001）。PQ 组的逃避潜伏期和行驶距离增加。然而，在接受电击后，MWM 测试中目标象限停留时间和进入暗室的潜伏期减少（p<0.05 至 P<0.001）。与 PQ 组相比，所有治疗组的测量值均有所改善（p<0.05 至 p<0.001）。与单独治疗相比，Cs-L+Pio 的联合治疗效果更为显著（p<0.05 至 p<0.001）。这些发现表明，Cs 具有神经保护作用，可能有益于治疗百草枯等有害物质引起的神经退行性疾病。
