The Effect of Crocin on Cognition and Necrosis Cell Death in the Hippocampus Area in the Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Male Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Experimental and clinical studies have shown that postpartum alcohol exposure
causes inflammation in the hippocampus among other areas of the brain. On the other hand,
alcohol consumption during pregnancy will cause inflammatory oxidative activation along with
extensive apoptotic neurodegenerative disease in brain areas. Different areas of the brain are
like the hippocampus. Crocin is the main active ingredient and dye in saffron, which has
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and can protect the nerves. The aim
of this study was to evaluate the effect of Crocin administration on memory disorders and cell
death of necrosis of the hippocampus in the model of alcoholic fetal syndrome.
Materials & Methods: 72 male neonates of male rats on the second day after birth, randomly
divided into six groups (12 in each group) including control, sham group, ethanol group and
ethanol + Crocin treatment groups) doses of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg). From the second to the tenth
day of birth, ethanol was received at a dose of 5.25 g/kg of milk powder solution, which was
divided into two doses of 2.62 g/kg, twice a day for two hours by gavage. Using the novel
object recognition test, hippocampal-dependent memory and distance learning were assessed
at 36 days after birth. Nissel staining was also used to evaluate cell death.
Results: The results of the present study showed that Crocin administration significantly
reduced ethanol-induced cognitive deficits (p<0.01). Ethanol-induced necrotic cell death was
also significantly reduced by Crocin administration (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Protective effects of Crocin against ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in the model of
alcoholic fetal syndrome, this substance can be considered as a potential treatment for ethanolinduced
complications during development.