The Separate and Synergistic Effects of Folic Acid and Acetylsalicylic Acid on Cognitive Function in Aging Rats

Abstract Background Individuals may experience decline in learning and memory skills during aging. Taking these facts into account, understanding the mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline is of great importance for developing interventions to mitigate these effects. Folic Acid (FA) and Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) have demonstrated success in ameliorating age-related cognitive decline, but more research is needed to elucidate their combined effects. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of FA and ASA combined application on cognitive function in aging rats. Method Wistar albino rats, young rats (2-month-old) and 32 elderly rats (18-month-old), were divided into 5 groups: the young control group, elderly control group, FA group, ASA group, and the combination therapy group. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris Water Maze, by measuring spatial learning and memory. Additional biochemical analyses were conducted to evaluate CAT, MDA, GPx levels. Results Significant improvements in spatial learning were observed in the elderly rats following combined interventions compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). Biochemical analyses showed that treatments alleviated oxidative damage evidenced by decreased MDA levels ( p : 0.0003), and enhanced antioxidant capacity, indicated by increased CAT ( p : 0.0421) and GPX levels ( p : 0.0403), in the treated groups. However, only CAT in the combination therapy group showed significantly higher activity than FA group, ASA group. Conclusion These findings suggest that combined group application could mitigate age-related cognitive decline by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant defense via CAT upregulation. FA and ASA could be potential therapies for mitigating age-related learning and cognitive decline. Clinical trial number 64583101/2015/136.