The effect of azelaic acid on AlCl3-induced neurocognitive impairments and molecular changes in the hippocampus of rats.

Objectives: Cognitive function plays a pivotal role in assessing an individual's quality of life. This research aimed to investigate how azelaic acid (AzA), a natural dicarboxylic acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, affects aluminium chloride (AlCl₃)-induced behavioural changes and biochemical alterations in the hippocampus of rats.

Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats divided into four groups received distilled water, AzA 50 mg/kg, AlCl₃ 100 mg/kg and AzA plus AlCl₃, respectively, by oral gavage for 6 weeks. Behavioural changes were evaluated using open-field maze, elevated plus maze, novel object recognition (NOR), passive avoidance task, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl protein, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were examined.

Results: AzA significantly affected AlCl₃-provoked anxiety-like behaviours and learning and memory impairments. It also reduced the toxic effect of AlCl₃ on MDA, carbonyl protein, TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB and GSK-3β status; however, its beneficial effects on AlCl₃-induced changes of CHOP, BDNF and AChE activity were not significant.

Conclusion: These findings disclosed that AzA could improve behavioural and cognitive function and almost limit the oxidative stress and neuroinflammation caused by AlCl₃.