Ameliorating effect of veratric acid against mercury-induced neurologic deficit and reproductive toxicity in female rats.

The aim of this investigation was to explore the potential effects of veratric acid on central nervous and reproductive toxicity caused by mercuric chloride in female rats. Six mercury-exposed female rats in each group were separately treated with 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg of veratric acid. The brain and ovaries were then evaluated for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Based on the results obtained through this study's assessment methods, mercuric chloride (HgCl) administration may harm the central nervous and reproductive systems in females. Evidence suggested that test subjects experienced increased apoptosis, indicated by higher levels of caspase-3, hormonal imbalances with results indicating significantly increased levels of estrogen, and non-significant increased FSH and decreased values of LH, alongside increased levels of inflammation markers such as significantly lower values of NF-κB and oxidative stress levels indicated by significantly higher levels of MDA. In addition to these physiological changes, behavioral impairments in the Rotarod test, and the activity cage test also emerged among rats, as well as notable alternations and the presence of inflammatory cells in histopathology analyses appeared. The administration of veratric acid at different doses was observed to mitigate mercuric chloride toxic effects, as evidenced by improvements in hormonal profile as it caused estrogen, FSH, and testosterone levels to decrease significantly; oxidative stress also improved, evidenced from reduced levels of MDA and increased levels of GSH. Veratric acid also improved the behavioral activities of rats, as motor coordination is improved in the Rotarod test and improvement in the activity cage test. This study also revealed the positive effect of veratric acid on apoptosis, as results indicated a reduced levels (p < 0.001) of caspase-3. Studies with data revealed that veratric acid can shield female rats from detrimental mercuric chloride-induced toxicity. Considering this evidence in exploring the drug's ability to counteract such toxicity would prove to be a constructive option for forthcoming investigations.