The Effect of Grape Seed Oil and Vitamin E on Learning, Spatial Memory, and Anxiety Behaviors in Rats Exposed to Social Isolation

Background and Aim: Social isolation is a kind of stress, which by inducing oxidative stress in the nervous system causes behavioral disorders such as memory impairment, and anxiety. In this study we investigated the effect of grape seed oil (GSO) and its major component, vitamin E on cognitive behavior, anxiety, and hippocampal oxidative stress in adult male rats exposed to chronic social isolation. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into isolated and non-isolated groups. In the isolated group the rats were isolated socially for 8 consecutive weeks and were treated with GSO (2 ml/kg body weight) or alpha-tocopherol (30 mg/kg body weight). Results : Social isolation reduced the time spent in the target quarter in the Morris water maze test (P < 0.01), and lowered the percentages of open-arm entrance and time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus-maze (P < 0.001). In addition, it increased malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.01), decreased glutathione content (P < 0.01), and enhanced catalase activity (P < 0.001) in the hippocampus. GSO and vitamin E prevented these changes in socially isolated animals. Conclusion :