Pelargonidin improves amyloid β-induced deficits in the long-term potentiation in hippocampus of male rats

Introduction: Given that pelargonidin is an anthocyanin that exhibits neuroprotective effects and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and cognitive dysfunction subsequently, herein, we examined the effects of pelargonidin on Aβ-induced longterm potentiation deficits in rats. Methods: AD was induced using intrahippocampal injections of the Aβ in the adult Wistar male rats. The rats received single intraperitoneal injections of pelargonidin (3mg/kg). Long-term potentiation in the perforant path- dentate gyrus synapses was assessed electrophysiologically by measuring the field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) slope and population spike (PS) amplitude. Results: Our results showed that Aβ significantly decreased fEPSP slope and SP amplitude in comparison with the control and sham groups, whereas pelargonidin increased these parameters in comparison to the Aβ group. Conclusion: It is probably that pelargonidin could improve Aβ-induced cognition deficit in rats.