Abstract:
Nonylphenol (NP), a widely used environmental pollutant, is a major concern because of its persistent nature and widespread consumption in industrial and agricultural products such as detergents, plastics, and pesticides. NP neurotoxic effects, leading to oxidative stress and neuronal damage. Its prevalence in water bodies and food chains poses a significant risk to both human and animal health. RSV which is a polyphenolic compound and has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, has shown promising results in mitigating these effects. This present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of RSV against NP-induced neurotoxicity in rats using histological, behavioral, and in silico analyses. Adult male rats were exposed to 25mg/kg NP and treated with low-dose (5mg/kg) and high-dose (20mg/kg) RSV. Behavioral assessments, including novel object recognition test and y maze were conducted. Histopathological analyses of brain tissues were performed to examine neuronal density. In-silico molecular docking studies conducted evaluated the binding affinity of RSV to key proteins involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways. Low-dose RSV showed significant improvement in behavioral performance, restoring spatial and recognition memory compared to the NP- treated group. Histopathological examination revealed reduced neuronal degeneration and preserved brain architecture in the RSV-treated group. In-silico analysis demonstrated strong interactions between RSV and oxidative stress-related targets, supporting its potential mechanisms of action. Low-dose RSV showed better neuroprotection against NP- induced neurotoxicity compared to a high dose, as seen from behavioral, histological, and in silico analyses. These findings highlight the dose-dependent efficacy of RSV and its potential as a neuroprotective agent.
