Maternal Intake of Dipteryx alata Vog. Reduces Offspring's Brain Oxidative Stress and Anxiety: Insights From In Silico and In Vivo Studies

We undertook a computational investigation and evaluation of the impact of maternal supplementation with baru almonds (Dipteryx alata Vog.) on anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in the brains of adolescent and adult rat offspring. Molecular docking studies were conducted and revealed that the phenolic compounds (PCs) from the baru almond bound free energies and inhibited constants comparable to the drug Diazepam and, in some cases, better, given its binding affinity at three orthosteric GABAA-binding sites. Specifically, the catechin present in the baru almond exhibited strong interactions with critical residues essential for anxiolytic action. The rats were divided into three groups and treated by gavage during gestation and lactation: Control (CG) and two experimental groups, treated with 2000 mg of baru almond or oil/kg of body weight. When the pups reached adolescence and adulthood, behavioral tests were realized. Cortex histology and oxidative stress in the brain were measured. In the elevated plus maze, an increased number of entries and more time spent in the open arms by the experimental groups compared to CG were observed. In the open field, the locomotion and rearing were increased and grooming and defecation were reduced in the experimental groups, and an increased movement in the clear area of the light-dark box (LDB) was observed. These groups showed higher levels of glutathione and lower levels of malondialdehyde in the brain. Maternal supplementation with baru induces anxiolytic-like behavior, reduces oxidative stress in the brain, and preserves cortical cell bodies in both adolescent and adult offspring. The in silico study suggested that the PC present in baru mediates some anxiolytic activity.