Neuroprotective Effect of Gallic Acid on Memory Deficit and Content of BDNF in Brain Entorhinal Cortex of Rat’s Offspring in Uteroplacental Insufficiency Model

Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) causes neurodevelopmental deficits affecting the intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) offspring. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Gallic acid (GA) on memory deficit and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) content in entorhinal cortex of UPI rat models.

In this experimental study, 40 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including: control, UPI, UPI+GA100, UPI+GA200and UPI+GA400. For IUGR induction, anterior uterine artery occlusion surgery was carried out on gestation day (GD) 18. From GD15, GA was administrated orally, in 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW doses until the birth of their neonates. Spatial and working memories are analyzed by Morris water maze and Y maze at postnatal day (PND) 30, respectively. Then, BDNF cerebral cortex level was estimated using ELISA technique.The data were analyzed through ANOVA and Tukey Post hoc in SPSS software version 16.

A significant decrease was observed in spatial and working memories and BDNF content in entorhinal cortex of UPI group in comparison with the control group (p˂0.05). On the other hand, GA-treated groups showed a significant increase in BDNF content and amelioration of spatial and working memories (p˂0.05).

Fetal growth restrictionafter UPI by decreasingBDNFlevel in entorhinal cortex caused memory deficits in rat’s model. Moreover, neuroprotective effects of GA lead to increased BDNF content and ameliorate cognitive deficits in UPI model.