Biological Effect of Quercetin in Repairing Brain Damage and Cerebral Changes in Rats: Molecular Docking and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

This study examined the protective effect of quercetin against high-altitude-induced brain damage in rats. A molecular docking study was performed to investigate the potential effect of quercetin in reducing brain damages through its ability to target the oxidative stress enzymes. Biomarker assessment screening assays were also performed then followed by in vivo studies. Three groups of rats were divided into the control group, an untreated animal model group with induced brain damage, and finally, the quercetin treated group that received quercetin dose equal to 20 mg/kg of their body weights. Molecular docking studies and biomarker assessment screening assays proved the potential effect of quercetin to affect the level of representative biomarkers glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, the protective effect of quercetin against high altitude, low pressure, and low oxygen was also investigated by exploring the brain histopathology of experimental rats. Brain damage was observed in the untreated animal model group. After treatment with quercetin, the cerebral edema in the brain tissues was improved significantly, confirming the protective effects of quercetin. Therefore, quercetin can be used as a natural food additive to protect from the highaltitude-induced brain damage.

Figure 1

3D binding mode of quercetin with GR (PDb ID: 1BWC).

Figure 2

2D interactions of quercetin with GPx enzyme (PDb ID: 2F8A).

Figure 3

3D binding mode of quercetin inside GST enzyme (PDb ID : 10GS).

Figure 4

Quercetin docked into human SOD (PDb ID : 1AP5).

Figure 5

3D binding mode of quercetin inside CAT enzyme (PDb ID : 1DGB).

Figure 6

(a–c) Brain of control rats (scale bars, 50 μm, 25 μm). (d–f) Brain tissue of model group rats (Scale bars 50 μm, 25 μm). (g–i) Brain tissue of the quercetin-treated group (scale bars, 50 μm, 25 μm).

Figure 7

(a–c) Brain tissue of control rats (scale bars, 50 μm, 25 μm). (d–f) Brain tissue of model rats (scale bars, 50 μm, 25 μm). (g–i) Brain tissue of the quercetin-treated group (scale bars, 50 μm, 25 μm).