Impact of Potassium Sorbate on Cognitive Performance and Hippocampal Morphology in Wistar Rats

Background and aim: Potassium sorbate is commonly used as an antimicrobial preservative in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic substance by the US FDA. However, some adverse reactions to potassium sorbate have been reported. This research aimed to investigate the effects of potassium sorbate on the structure and function of the hippocampus in adult male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats, aged 8-10 weeks and weighing 180-220g, were randomly divided into five groups of five rats each. The groups included Group NS, which received normal saline; PS25, which received potassium sorbate at 25 mg/kg body weight; PS50, which received potassium sorbate at 50 mg/kg body weight; PS100, which received potassium sorbate at 100 mg/kg body weight; and PS200, which received potassium sorbate at 200 mg/kg body weight. All treatments were administered orally every day for 56 days. Histological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical methods were used to assess the structural and functional characteristics of the groups. The immunohistochemical localisation of GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein), NeuN (Neuronal Nuclear Protein), and BCL-2 (B-cell Lymphoma/Leukemia 2 Protein) was performed. Additionally, the effects on the animals’ behaviour were evaluated using behavioural tests. Results: The structure and expression of proteins in the hippocampus were dose-dependently distorted; however, no notable changes in learning and memory functions were observed in the animals. Conclusion: Potassium sorbate exhibits deleterious effects on the hippocampus of rats in a dose-dependent manner.