The effect of Ascorbic Acid on working memory, anxiety like-behavior and the activity of Glutation Peroxidase (GPx) in ovarectomized mice

It has been reported that menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress and subsequent memory deficits and anxiety. According to the antioxidant property of Ascorbic Acid (AA), we tested the effect of AA on oxidative stress, impairment of working memory and anxiety like-behavior in ovariectomized mice.

Forty-eight female mice weighting 20 ± 5 g were randomly divided into six groups of eight including AA control group, sham, untreated ovariectomized, and ovariectomized treated with the doses of (100, 300, 500 mg/kg, by oral gavage for 1 month) of AA. Then, working memory (by T-maze), anxiety like-behavior (by Elevated Plus-maze) and the activity of Glutation peroxidase (GPx) in mice brain tissues were determined.

AA by the doses of 100 (p < 0.05) and 500 mg/kg (p < 0.001) improved working memory of ovariectomized mice compared to untreated ovariectomized group. AA by the doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg increased Open Arm Time (%OAT) of ovariectomized animals compared to untreated ovariectomized group (p < 0.01). Open Arm Entries (%OAE) were also increased in ovariectomized treated group by the dose of 300 (p < 0.01) and 500 mg/kg (p < 0.001) of AA. The activity level of GPx increased in ovariectomized mice treated by AA 500 mg/kg compared to untreated ovariectomized group (p < 0.01).

AA especially at the dose of 500 mg/kg showed a significant improvement in anxiety, working memory as well as the level of GPx activity in ovariectomized mice.