The neuroprotective effect of Diosgenin in the rat Valproic acid model of autism

Background and aim Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with two core behavioral symptoms restricted/repetitive behavior and social-communication deficit. The unknown etiology of ASD makes it difficult to identify potential treatments. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant drug with teratogenic effects during pregnancy in humans and rodents. Prenatal exposure to VPA induces autism-like behavior in both humans and rodents. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Diosgenin in prenatal Valproic acid-induced autism in rats. Method pregnant Wister female rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (600 mg/kg, i.p.) on gestational day 12.5. The male offspring were given oral Dios (40 mg/kg, p.o.) or Carboxymethyl cellulose (5 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days starting from postnatal day 23. On postnatal day 52, behavioral tests were done. Additionally, biochemical assessments for oxidative stress markers were carried out on postnatal day 60. Further, histological evaluations were performed on the prefrontal tissue by Nissl staining and Immunohistofluorescence. Results The VPA-exposed rats showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze (EPM). They also demonstrated repetitive and grooming behaviors in the marble burying test (MBT) and self-grooming test. Social interaction was reduced, and they had difficulty detecting the novel object in the novel object recognition (NOR) test. Also, VPA-treated rats have shown higher levels of oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower GPX, TAC, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Furthermore, the number of neurons decreased and the ERK signaling pathway upregulated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). On the other hand, treatment with Dios restored the behavioral consequences, lowered oxidative stress, and death of neurons, and rescued the overly activated ERK1/2 signaling in the prefrontal cortex. Conclusion Chronic treatment with Dios restored the behavioral, biochemical, and histological abnormalities caused by prenatal VPA exposure.