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Gallic acid abrogates cadmium-induced neurochemical changes and cognitive deficits in Wistar rat

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Abstract

Purpose

The polyphenolic molecule gallic acid, which functions as an antioxidant by removing free radicals and chelating metals, has garnered a lot of attention. In animal studies, cadmium exposure has been linked to neurotoxic effects and cognitive impairment. In this context, the present study aimed at investigating the effect of gallic acid on the neurochemical change and cognitive impairment in rats exposed to cadmium.

Methods

Twenty-four Wistar rats were exposed to cadmium (5 mg/kg) for 21 days and thereafter treated with gallic acid (25 and 50 mg/kg). After the treatment period, the rats were subjected to neurobehavioral tests before being sacrificed under mild anesthesia. The brain was removed and dissected into the cortex and hippocampus, and the homogenates of these brain sections were prepared for biochemical analyses.

Results

Findings revealed a cognitive impairment due to cadmium exposure, and this was ameliorated by treatment with gallic acid. In addition to disruption of redox homeostasis, alteration in the enzyme activity of cholinergic and purinergic systems was observed in rats exposed to cadmium. However, treatment with gallic acid restored redox balance by enhancing the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and reducing the concentration of oxidative stress markers. Also, treatment with gallic acid modulated the enzyme activity of cholinergic and purinergic systems.

Conclusion

Thus, gallic acid treatment reversed cognitive impairment, and alteration to the cholinergic and purinergic systems caused by subchronic cadmium exposure in rats, possibly via an antioxidant mechanism.

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Data availability

Data is available on request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Functional Food and Nutraceutical Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria

    Adeniyi A. Adebayo, Ayokunle O. Ademosun & Ganiyu Oboh

  2. Biochemistry Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, P.M.B. 5006, Ikeji Arakeji, Nigeria

    Adeniyi A. Adebayo

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  1. Adeniyi A. Adebayo
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  2. Ayokunle O. Ademosun
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Contributions

Project design: AAA, AOA, and GO. Experimental: AAA and AOA. Data analysis: AAA. Writing—original draft: AAA and AOA. Writing—review and editing: AAA, AOA, and GO.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adeniyi A. Adebayo.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

Handling of experimental animals was in accordance with international guidelines, and the procedure was approved by Ethical Committee of the Centre for Research and Development, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria (Approval number: FUTA/ETH/21/10).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Adebayo, A.A., Ademosun, A.O. & Oboh, G. Gallic acid abrogates cadmium-induced neurochemical changes and cognitive deficits in Wistar rat. Nutrire 48, 30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41110-023-00216-9

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