Abscisic acid ameliorates cognitive dysfunctions, but not facial allodynia, in a male rat nitroglycerin migraine model

Objective

Abscisic acid (ABA), found in fruits and vegetables and produced in the human body, has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and pro-cognitive effects. The impact of ABA on trigeminal nerve hyperalgesia and cognitive behaviors in a rat migraine model was evaluated.

Design

Male rats (n = 8) were randomly distributed into 5 groups (Control, Sham, Abscisic acid (ABA), Nitroglycerin (NTG), and Nitroglycerin + Abscisic acid (NTG+ABA). Migraine was induced through 4 injections of NTG (5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.)). ABA (10 µg/rat intracerebroventricular (i.c.v)) was administered 4 times with an interval of 24 hours. To evaluate trigeminal nerve hyperalgesia, the von Frey, acetone, and air puff tests were used. To evaluate locomotor and cognitive function of the animals, the open field, elevated plus maze (EPM), tail suspension (TST), Morris water maze (MWM), and passive avoidance (PA) tests were administered. Total antioxidant capacity levels (n = 5; TAC) were also monitored.

Results

Significant differences were observed between the surgically treated groups and the control group, but no differences in pain indexes were found in migraine animals when ABA was present. ABA-treated animals among the migraine groups showed reductions in anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors. Additionally, in the MWM test, the ABA animals exhibited improved spatial learning, while their memory did not show improvement. Avoidance learning and memory were not affected when evaluated using the PA. Increases in TAC were seen in ABA-treated animals in both serum and the spinal trigeminal nucleus.

Conclusion

Taken together, ABA reduces NTG-induced cognitive impairments, and antioxidant activity could play a role in the underlying ABA-mediated mechanism.