Effects of caffeic acid on behavioral parameters and on the activity of acetylcholinesterase in different tissues from adult rats

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is distributed throughout the body in both neuronal and non-neuronal tissues and plays an important role in the regulation of physiological events. Caffeic acid is a phenolic compound that has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo whether caffeic acid alters the AChE activity and behavioral parameters in rats. In the in vitro study, the concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2mM of caffeic acid were used. For the in vivo study, five groups were evaluated: group I (control); group II (canola oil), group III (10mg/kg of caffeic acid); group IV (50mg/kg of caffeic acid) and group V (100mg/kg of caffeic acid). Caffeic acid was diluted in canola oil and administered for 30 days. In vitro, the caffeic acid increased the AChE activity in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hypothalamus, whole blood, and lymphocytes at different concentrations. In muscle, this compound caused an inhibition in the AChE activity at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2mM when compared to the control (P<0.05). In vivo, 50 and 100mg/kg of caffeic acid decreased the AChE activity in the cerebral cortex and striatum and increased the activity of this enzyme in the cerebellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, pons, lymphocytes, and muscles when compared to the control group (P<0.05). The amount of 100mg/kg of caffeic acid improved the step-down latencies in the inhibitory avoidance. Our results demonstrated that caffeic acid improved memory and interfered with the cholinergic signaling. As a natural and promising compound caffeic acid should be considered potentially therapeutic in disorders that involve the cholinergic system.

Anticholinesterase activity of selected phenolic acids and flavonoids – interaction testing in model solutions

“…Srividhya et al [25] observed the activation of AChE by epigallocatechingallate in in silico and docking studies, as well as in in vivo studies involving Wistar rats. Caffeic acid was shown to increase AChE activity in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hypothalamus, whole blood, and also lymphocytes in the case of in vitro studies involving rats [26]. Moreover, caffeic acid increased AChE activity in vivo after co-administration with malathion to rats.…”

Inhibition profile of a series of phenolic acids on bovine lactoperoxidase enzyme

“…Numerous investigations were reported effects of these molecules on enzyme and different proteins; for instance, caffeine has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Investigation of Anwar and friends showed caffeine has therapeutic role on cholinergic system 38 . Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, .…”

Effect of a novel aromatic cytokinin derivative on phytochemical levels and antioxidant potential in greenhouse grown Merwilla plumbea

“…As a potent antibacterial agent, p-coumaric acid disrupted bacterial cell membranes and binding to bacterial genomic DNA to inhibit cellular functions ultimately resulting in cell death (Lou et al 2012). Likewise, caffeic acid has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and has been recognized as a potential therapeutic option in disorders associated with the cholinergic system (Anwar et al 2012). Interestingly, M. plumbea bulb extract exhibited a noteworthy acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (Amoo et al …”