Investigation of the Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid Administration at Different Doses on Behavioral Disorders in Rats

Aspirin is one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs worldwide. Neurodegenerative diseases adversely affect the central nervous system, leading to cognitive decline. Aspirin has different pharmacological activities at different doses. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the active ingredient of aspirin, administered at different doses on the parameters that play a role in cognitive function using molecular and histological methods and behavioral tests. For this purpose, 28 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. Control, ASA-low dose (1mg/kg), ASA-moderate dose (10mg/kg) and ASA-high dose (100mg/kg). ASA was intragastrically administered as a single dose, and an open field test was performed 3 hours later. Subsequently, hippocampus tissues were obtained, and the hippocampus tissue structure was analyzed by analyzing the parameters involved in antioxidant capacity, inflammation, apoptosis, and memory. ASA, especially at moderate doses, increased antioxidant capacity and partially reduced inflammation and apoptotic damage. At high doses, the opposite effect was observed, and the damage levels. Similar effects were detected by histological examination. Although there were no structural defects at low or moderate doses, structural defects were observed at high doses. Although there was no difference in the open field test findings between the groups, the time spent in the center, distance traveled, and speed was slightly higher in the ASA moderate-dose group. In conclusion, ASA may contribute to the improvement of cognitive function at low and moderate doses. However, high doses may cause cognitive impairment.