The Effect of Gallic Acid on Cognitive Dysfunctions with Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Rats

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) lead to abnormalities in fetal central nervous system, till hippocampal and cortical cells became apoptotic. The goal of this research is investigating the effects of Gallic acid on improvement of cognitive impairments and nuclear factor kappa B (NFƙB) in animal model of IUGR. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female rats from wistar race with weighing approximately 180±25g were divided into 4 groups of 7 .Control group: that did not receive any treatment . IUGR group: To induce IUGR of pregnant rats were under 50 % restricted diet from the 14th day of pregnancy to childbirth. Experimental groups 1 and 2: pregnant rats subjected to a 50 % dietary restriction for induction IUGR from 14th day of pregnancy to childbirth and from 12th day of pregnancy to the birth of newborns, received 200 and 400 mg/kg gallic acid doses daily by gavage method. After the birth of pups, morphological evaluations were checked. Then, in 30 postnatal days working and passive avoidance tests and anxiety test were assessed. The serum level of NFƙB was analyzed by ELISA. Results: The working memory and fear-based memory of IUGR rats was reduced significantly compared to the controls. In addition restricted diet leads to increase in NFƙB and anxiety levels. Gallic acid was ameliorated working and fear-based memories and reduced serum level of NFƙB and anxiety in treated rats. Conclusion: The findings suggest that restricted diet during pregnancy can cause behavioral cognitive disorders in rats. This is likely due to increased levels of pro-apoptic cytokine such as NFƙB. The results also suggest that the neuroprotective effect of Gallic acid is likely to improve memory disorders in IUGR rat model.