Histological and immunohistochemical study of the neuroprotective potentials of trans-cinnamaldehyde in Wistar rat model of insulin resistance

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of insulin resistance is on the increase globally. Earlier reports linked impaired insulin signaling and glucose intolerance to cognitive decline, suggesting that improving insulin signaling could enhance neuronal survival. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) is an active component of cinnamon and has many pharmacological importance. However, the effects of TCA on insulin resistance-induced neurodegenerative changes are unclear. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating the effects of trans-cinnamaldehyde on hippocampal histoarchitecture in insulin-resistant rats. METHODS: Twenty adult Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then injected with a low dose of STZ (30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally). 60mg/kg of TCA was orally administered once daily for 4 weeks. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to investigate the ameliorative potentials of TCA on the hippocampus of Wistar Rats. RESULTS: TCA administration to insulin-resistant rats histologically and immunohistochemically reduced pyknosis, astrogliosis, and neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus when compared with untreated insulin-resistant rats. CONCLUSION: TCA prospect as a novel therapy in insulin-resistant subjects with neurogenerative diseases could be further explored.