Abstract
Stroke is the third cause of death worldwide and a health problem, and current therapy continues to be very poor. It promotes an alteration associated with excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory processes, exacerbating the damage in the brain. Although cortical areas are the most affected by stroke, the hippocampus can be impacted in the long term through the pathways it connects with these areas, which are associated further with motor alterations; this encourages the search for new therapeutic approaches. Omega-5, being an antioxidant, participates in regulating oxidative stress. A recently designed nanoemulsified compound coupled with pomegranate seed oil (NanoPSO) maintains bioavailability in the body for longer. Omega-5 NanoPSO is more effective in different models of neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. Therefore, it is important to analyze the effect of omega-5 NanoPSO on ischemic damage through changes in the hippocampus, oxidative mechanisms, and behavioral outcomes. Male Wistar rats were used in five groups; three groups were subjected to an ischemic event through bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. An ischemia group received omega-5 NanoPSO after injury, and another group received omega-5 NanoPSO performed two weeks before the ischemic event and three weeks after the surgical process. The control and sham groups did not show changes in the hippocampus and behavior. In the ischemia group, neuronal loss, oxidative stress, and a higher expression of astrocytes were maintained in the hippocampal region, and behavior was modified. In the post and pre-treatment group with omega-5 NanoPSO, we observed reduced damage, glial proliferation, and oxidative stress. It increased neuron survival in the hippocampal region and improved the locomotion. These results highlight its promise for use in clinical settings to treat patients suffering from ischemic brain injury.