title: Neuropharmacological analysis of caffeic acid in rats.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal administration of caffeic acid (0.5, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mg/kg) on elevated plus-maze and open field tasks in rats and its possible neuroprotection/neurotoxicity using the comet assay. Caffeic acid at 1 mg/kg increased the number of entries and the time spent in the open arms on plus-maze, suggesting an anxiolytic-like effect when used in lower doses without affecting locomotion and exploration on the open field. Furthermore, a protective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage on brain tissue was observed through the treatment with caffeic acid at 1 and 8 mg/kg. However, in the highest dose, caffeic acid induced DNA damage in brain tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Lutheran Univerity of Brazil, Av. Farroupilha, 8001, Bairro São José, Canoas, RS, Brazil. patipere@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Paulo Alexandre
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ardenghi
authors.forename: Liane
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rotta
authors.forename: João Antonio Pêgas
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Henriques
authors.forename: Jaqueline Nascimento
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Picada
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000633:toxicity*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D020552:Comet Assay; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D004247:DNA; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C040048:caffeic acid