• Sumac Nano-phytosome improves oxidative stress in prenatal Valproic acid-induced Rat model of autism
  • Seyede Fateme Hosseini,1 Akbar Hajizadeh Moghaddam,2,* Mojtaba Ranjbar,3
    1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran,
    2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
    3. Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran,


  • Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by social and communication deficits, and by repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), widely known as sumac plant, is also valued for both its nutritional qualities and medicinal values. It is also commonly used as a medicinal herb in Persia. Phytosomes are drug carriers used to improve vesicular drug delivery systems wherein they are bound and linked with lipoid membranes and phospholipid molecules. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by social and communication deficits, and by repetitive behavior and restricted interests. Rhus coriaria L. (Anacardiaceae), widely known as sumac plant, is also valued for both its nutritional qualities and medicinal values. It is also commonly used as a medicinal herb in Persia. Phytosomes are drug carriers used to improve vesicular drug delivery systems wherein they are bound and linked with lipoid membranes and phospholipid molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sumac Nano-phytosome on antioxidant enzyme in Valproic acid-exposed rat offspring.
  • Methods: Offspring male rats were segregated into seven groups; Group-1 served as control, received a single intraperitoneal injection of saline maternally on E12.5. Group-2 received sodium valproate (500 mg/kg in 0.9 % saline, i.p) maternally on E12.5 was considered as VPA-exposed group, Group-3 to 4 were VPA-exposed which received sumac and sumac Nano-phytosome (40 mg/kg/day, PO) for 4 weeks respectively.
  • Results: Our results showed the prenatal Valproic acid-exposed rat increased level of oxidative stress was found by determining superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase activities (P < 0.001) and Sumac Nano-phytosome treatment reduced the oxidative stress in brain (p < 0.01).
  • Conclusion: In conclusion, prenatal exposure to Valproic day in pregnant rat leads to the development of autism like features. Sumac Nano-phytosome reduced the oxidative stress in animal model of autism presumably by its antioxidant activity.
  • Keywords: Sumac Nano-phytosome, Autism, Valproic acid, Oxidative stress