Ascorbic acid attenuates cognitive impairment and brain oxidative stress in ovariectomized mice

Menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress and memory impairment. Based on the antioxidant property of ascorbic acid (AA), It's effect on cognitive function, the serum level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes within the brain in ovariectomized (OVX) mice was investigated.

AA (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg), was orally administrated per day in OVX mice for 30 days. Tactile learning and working memory were evaluated by the novel object recognition task and T-maze continuous alternation task, respectively. The levels of serum BDNF were measured and animals' brains were analyzed for the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.

AA prevented from the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on learning memory (300 and 500 mg/kg) and working memory (100 and 500 mg/kg). The serum BDNF level was also increased in OVX animals treated with AA (100 and 500 mg/kg). Furthermore, AA (500 mg/kg) increased the SOD and GPx activity in the brain of OVX animals.

Collectively, the results of the present study suggest that AA might be an appropriate choice in loss or reduction of estradiol for the amelioration of cognitive impairment.