Protective effects of salicylate on PKA inhibitor (H-89)-induced spatial memory deficit via lessening autophagy and apoptosis in rats

In this study, the effects of salicylate on spatial learning and memory, through its effects on autophagy and apoptosis, were evaluated in the presence of the PKA inhibitor H-89. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into experimental groups as follows: salicylate (30, 50, 100 μg/0.5 μl/side, intra-hippocampal; 400 mg/kg, intra-peritoneal), donepezil (1 mg/kg as a positive control for behavioral effects of salicylate), H-89 (1 μl/side of 5 or 20 μM), H-89 plus salicylate and H-89 plus donepezil. The Morris water maze test was used for evaluation of spatial learning and memory. The levels of different apoptotic and autophagic biomarkers were evaluated using the western blot technique. Salicylate (100 μg/0.5 μl/side) significantly reduced the escape latency on training days, increased the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant during the probe trial and reversed the inhibitory effects of H-89 during the process of spatial learning and memory. The behavioral efficacy of salicylate was comparable to that of donepezil. In addition, salicylate significantly decreased the levels of apoptotic proteins, Bax and caspase 3, and increased the Bcl2 levels in all groups. Furthermore, the levels of LC3II and Atg7 were decreased by salicylate. Our study revealed that both systemic and direct intra-hippocampal administration of salicylate can facilitate the spatial learning and memory. Additionally, intra-hippocampal administration of salicylate can reduce apoptotic and autophagic proteins. The antioxidant activity of salicylate might lead to increased pCREB via stimulation of signaling pathways, resulting in reduction of H-89-induced apoptosis and autophagy.