Ameliorative Effect of Falcaria vulgaris on Nicotine-induced Injury on the Hippocampus Dentate Gyrus Region of Rats

Objectives: The dentate gyrus (DG) is a part of a brain region known as hippocampus. Falcaria vulgaris (FV) is a vegetable that contains antioxidant ingredients. Nicotine is one of the main risk factors in functional disorders of various organ systems. This study was designed to evaluate the thera- peutic effects of FV against nicotine induced injury on the hippocampus DG region of rats. Methods: In this study, 64 male rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups: Sham group, nicotine group (0.5 mg/kg), FV groups (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg) and nicotine + FV groups. Treatments were ad- ministered intraperitoneally daily for 28 days. Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method was applied to determine the total antioxidant ca- pacity. The number of dendritic spines was investigated by Golgi technique. Cresyl violet method was used to determine the number of neurons in DG region. Also, Griess technique was used to determine serum nitrite oxide level. Results: Nicotine administration increased significantly nitrite oxide level and total antioxidant capacity and a decreased number of neuronal dendritic spines and neurons compared to the sham group (P < 0.05). In the FV and nicotine + FV groups, in all dosages, the number of neurons and neuronal dendritic spines increased significantly while nitrite oxide level and total antioxidant capacity decreased compared to the nicotine group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that FV administration improves DG region injury in rates because of nicotine.