Alleviating Roles of Eugenol in Paraquat-Altered Social Behaviors and Inflammatory Cytokines on Adult Wistar Rats

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are characterized by a general loss of neurons, with accumulation of specific brain proteins. Objective: To evaluate the alleviating role of eugenol in paraquat-altered social behaviors and anti-inflammatory markers. Methodology: Forty adult Wistar rats were acclimated for 14 days and assigned to 5 groups of 8 rats each. Group A (control) received feed and water only. Group B received 10 mg/kg paraquat (PQ); Groups C, D, and E received 10 mg/kg PQ and were treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg, respectively. PQ was given for 28 days, and eugenol for 14 days, and the experiment lasted 42 days. Social interactive behavior was studied using a sociability chamber. All administrations were done orally every morning. The brains were homogenized from the sacrificed animals and used to assess anti-inflammatory levels. Results: The PQ group showed alterations, including necrosis, vacuolization, and pyknosis, that significantly affected neuronal counts in brain regions. The time spent at the center and Stranger II increased significantly in the PQ group compared with the control (p<0.05), and decreased in the treated groups compared with the PQ group (p<0.05). Time spent with the Stranger was significantly decreased in the PQ group compared with the control group (p<0.05) and significantly increased in the treated groups compared with the PQ group (p<0.05). Interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and -β levels were significantly increased in the PQ group, but decreased in the treated groups. Conclusion: Eugenol is an excellent anti-inflammatory marker in paraquat-altered social behaviors and inflammation.