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Published on: March 16, 2016
Evaluation of Cranberry as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Intracerebroventricular (ICV) Quinolinic Acid-induced
Li Tao1, Deepika Kumari2, Sai Kumar Badam3
1Department of Neurology, 3201 Hospital, Hanzhong, 723000, China.
Background:
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is rich in vitamins, minerals, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, offering potent antioxidant activity. Polyphenols in cranberries are linked to neuroprotective effects via modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and signaling pathways.
Objectives:
This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of cranberries on behavioral and neurochemical abnormalities induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) quinolinic acid (QA) in Wistar rats, focusing on ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway modulation.
Methods:
Thirty Wistar rats were divided into groups: control, QA (240 nM, ICV), QA + cranberry (0.5 g/kg, p.o.), and QA + high-dose cranberry (2 g/kg, p.o.). Treatments continued for 21 days. Behavioral performance was assessed via Novel Object Recognition, Morris Water Maze, rotarod, and footprint analysis. Biochemical assays measured oxidative/nitrosative stress markers, mitochondrial complex activities, and cholinergic function. Histological analysis evaluated neuronal integrity.
Results:
QA treatment impaired cognition, motor function, and mitochondrial activity, increased oxidative stress (↑MDA, ↑nitrite, ↓GSH), and induced cholinergic dysfunction. Cranberry supplementation, particularly at 2 g/kg, significantly improved memory, learning, and motor coordination, restored GSH, reduced MDA and nitrite levels, enhanced mitochondrial complexes I, II, and IV activities, and normalized cholinergic markers. Histology confirmed reduced neuronal degeneration and inflammation.
Discussion:
Cranberries exhibit neuroprotective effects likely via antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-excitotoxic mechanisms, promoting synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival.
Conclusion:
Cranberries may serve as a potential natural therapeutic strategy for cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative conditions, warranting further translational studies.
