Antioxidant and Anti-anxiety Effects of Sumac Nano-Phytosome in Rat Model of Alzheimer’s disease: An Experimental Study

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease accompanied by common emotional symptoms such as anxiety and fear. The aim of this study was investigating the anti-anxiety and antioxidant effects of sumac extract and its nano-phytosome, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of Alzheimerchr('39')s disease

In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (control, positive control, Alzheimer, and Alzheimer with (40mg/kg) doses of sumac extract and nano-phytosome - sumac). For the induction of Alzheimer model, STZ (3 mg / kg) was injected intracerebroventricularlly. 21 days after gavage, plus maze test was performed to evaluate anxiety behavior in the rats. In the end, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymechr('39')s activity and malondialdehyde levels were measured in the cerebral cortex. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukeychr('39')s test.

The results showed that STZ increased anxiety-like behaviors (p=0.001), malondialdehyde (MDA) level (p<0.017), and decreased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in the Alzheimer group (p<0.001); while treatment with sumac nano-phytosome reduced anxiety-like behaviors (p=0.002), increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased MDA level in cerebral cortex (p=0.003).

The results suggested that sumac nano-phytosome due to improving the bioavailability may reduce STZ-induced anxiety-like behaviors and oxidative stress in rat model of AD.