The effect of Naringin on hippocampal cell damage and the antioxidant defense system of the fetal forebrain in an animal model of uteroplacental insufficiency

Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) by inducing oxidative stress in the fetal brain leads to disruption of its development. The present study evaluated the effects of Naringin on the antioxidant defense system in the fetal forebrain and prevention of the hippocampal damage following UPI.

20 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, UPI+Saline, UPI+Nar50 (UPI+naringin with a dose of 50 mg/kg) and UPI+Nar100 (UPI+ naringin with a dose of 100 mg/kg). In order to induce UPI, permanent occlusion of the anterior uterine vessels was performed on the embryonic day (ED) 18. Naringin and saline were gavagd from ED12-18. On the ED21, measuring the level of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) by ELISA technique and malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method in the fetal forebrain and evaluating neuronal density in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus were done.

A significant decrease in the brain activity of CAT, SOD, TAC and neuronal density in the CA1/CA3 areas of the hippocampus along with a significant increase in MDA was seen in the UPI+Saline group compared to the control group (p<0.05). While, a significant increase in CAT, SOD, TAC and CA1/CA3 neuronal density and a significant decrease in MDA was seen in the groups receiving Naringin compared to the UPI+Saline group (p<0.05).

Administering Naringin before induction of UPI by strengthening the antioxidant system in the fetal forebrain caused the prevention of neurological complications caused by UPI in the fetal brain.