Effects of folic acid on passive avoidance learning and memory in rat Alzheimer model by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent brain neurodegenerative diseases, in which neurons are destroyed especially in related areas to cognitive activities. One of the factors that play an effective role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is oxidative stress that is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant system. Co-enzyme Q10, as a very powerful antioxidant, has role in energy producing mechanisms inside the cell and in preventing of peroxidation of membrane lipid; and its positive effects on Alzheimer’s disease has been demonstrated. According to the fact that folic acid is one of the precursors for synthesis of Q10 in the cell, and it has been demonstrated that its blood levels are decreased in Alzheimer’s disease, this study aimed to evaluate effects of folic acid on passive avoidance learning and memory in rats.

30 male wistar rats (300±50g) were divided in three groups (n=10): sham, Alzheimer and Alzheimer+folic acid. For Alzheimer induction, streptozotocin (STZ) was injected intracerebroventricular (icv) and after that rats received folic acid daily (4 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days. To assess learning and memory in rats, the passive avoidance learning test was performed.

Results showed that icv-STZ impairs severely learning and memory in rats and folic acid can prevent these impairments.

Data shows that folic acid is probably helpful in alleviating cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease