Antioxidative and Anxiolytic Impact of Riboceine, a Dietary Supplement on Cytochrome Oxidase Inhibition in the Hippocampus

Selectively reduced complex IV activity which causes inhibition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain produces free radicals, diminishes aerobic energy metabolism and causes excitotoxic damage to neurons, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. This study evaluated the putative therapeutic role of riboceine (Ribcys) against sodium azide induced Cytochrome oxidase inhibition in the hippocampus. A total number of thirty five rats were used. They were randomly distributed into 5 groups (A, B, C, D and E) with seven animals each (n = 7). Cytochrome oxidase inhibition was induced by treatment with 17mg/kg of NaN Group A received only distilled water. Group B were 3. treated with 17mg/kg of NaN for 28 days. Group C were treated with 17mg/kg body weight of NaN (28 days) 3 3 followed by 100mg/kg body weight of Riboceine for 21 days. Group D were pre-treated with 100mg/kg of Riboceine for 21 days followed by 17mg/kg of NaN for 28 days. Group E were treated with 100mg/kg of Riboceine 3 for 21 days. Thereafter, elevated plus maze was used to determine the level of anxiety in the animals. The animals were sacrificed and histological demonstration of the hippocampus and colorimetric determination of oxidative stress were performed. NaN induced cytochrome oxidase inhibition showed increased lipid peroxidation (p<0.05), 3 elicited anxiety level (p<0.05) and increased chromatolysis in the hippocampus of the experimental animals. Ribcys treatment increased the concentrations of catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with p<0.05, reduced anxiety levels (p<0.05) and increased Nissl staining intensity of the pyramidal and granular layers of the hippocampus. The cytochrome oxidase inhibition induced by NaN treatment imposed 3 oxidative and chromatolytic damage to the hippocampus whereas Ribcys was able to modulate the activity of cytochrome oxidase in the hippocampus through its anxiolytic and antioxidant properties.

Key Words: Cytochrome oxidase inhibition, Riboceine, Hippocampus, anxiolytic, antioxidant