Introduction: Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse disease states. The present study was designed to examine the effects of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced behaviour impairment and oxidative damage in rats.
Material and methods: Eighteen rats were equally divided into three groups. The first group was kept as a control. In the second group, H2O2 was given in drinking water at 3% during 5 days. In the third group, rats were subjected to daily administration of H2O2 and MgSO4 (100 mg/kg; b.w) for 5 days. Animals were subjected to behavioural tests (elevated plus maze and open field). At the end of experiment, brains were extracted for oxidative stress biomarkers assessment including levels of malondialdéhyde and hydrogen peroxide and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase.
Results: Our findings showed that H2O2 treated rat exhibited anxiogenic behaviour and the genesis of free radicals in the brain. Magnesium showed amelioration against oxidative stress and significant decrease in anxiety levels.
Discussion and conclusion: Stress is a powerful process that disrupts brain homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress and its appear that magnesium may have potential therapeutic benefits by reducing oxidative stress and inducing anxiolytic effect.
Keywords: Biomarkers; anxiety; magnesium sulphate; oxidative stress; rat.