Antioxidant-based neuroprotective effect of dimethylsulfoxide against induced traumatic brain injury in a rats model

Ibrahim Bulama; Suleiman Nasiru; Abubakar Bello; Abdullahi Yahaya Abbas; Jinjiri Ismail Nasiru; Yusuf Saidu; Musa Samaila Chiroma; Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas; Che Norma Mat Taib; Ali Waziri; Bilbis Lawal Suleman

doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.998179

Antioxidant-based neuroprotective effect of dimethylsulfoxide against induced traumatic brain injury in a rats model

Front Pharmacol. 2022 Oct 6:13:998179. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.998179. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
² Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
³ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland.
⁵ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.
⁷ Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
⁸ Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been the result of neurological deficit and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidative neuroprotective property and learning and memory-enhancing effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in a rat model after the induction of TBI. 21 albino rats with 7 rats per group were used in this study. Group I was induced with TBI and treated with DMSO at 67.5 mg/kg orally once daily which started 30 min after the induction of TBI and lasted 21 days. Group II was induced with TBI but not treated while Group III was neither induced with TBI nor treated. Assessment of behavioral function (Learning and memory, anxiety and motor function), the level of an antioxidant enzymes and their gene expression (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), the biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and S100B levels as well as brain tissues histological studies were conducted. Administration of DMSO to rats with induced TBI has improved learning and memory, locomotor function and decreased anxiety in Group I compared to Group II. Moreover, the level of S100B was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in Group I compared to Group II. Treatment with DMSO also decreased lipid peroxidation significantly (p < 0.05) compared to Group II. There exists a significant (p < 0.05) increase in CAT, SOD, and GPX activities in Group I compared to Group II. Therefore, DMSO has demonstrated a potential antioxidative neuroprotective effect through its ability to increase the level of antioxidant enzymes which they quench and inhibit the formation of ROS, thereby improving cognitive functions.

Keywords: antioxidant ensymes; anxiety; cognitive function; dimethylsulfoxide; neuroprotection; oxidative stress; stress biomarker; traumatic brain injury.