Investigation of the neuroprotective effect of crocin against electromagnetic field-induced cerebellar damage in male Balb/c mice

Objective: Mobile devices are sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that cause increasing concern among scientists about human health, especially with the long-term use of mobile phones.With regard to this issue, the potential adverse health effects, particularly on brain function have raised public concern. There is considerable evidence that natural compounds have neuro-protective effects due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Growing evidence suggests that crocin as a natural bioactive compound can be considered a potential therapeutic agent against various neurologic disorders. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of crocin on the cerebellum after exposure to EMF. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Male Balb/c mice were divided into control group, EMF group (۲۱۰۰ MHZ), EMF +Crocin group (۲۱۰۰ MHZ+۵۰ mg/kg), and crocin group (۵۰ mg/kg). The animals in the EMF and EMF+Crocin groups were exposed continuously for ۳۰ days to an EMF ۱۲۰ min/day. After ۳۰ days, cerebellar cortex was evaluated by histomorphometric and immunohistochemical methods.Results: The results showed that ۳۰ days of exposure to EMF had no significant effect on Purkinje cell size. However, EMF reduced significantly the diameter of astrocytes and increased Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression compared to the controls (p<۰.۰۵). Our findings also indicated that crocin treatment could improve the diameter of astrocytes and normalize GFAP expression (p<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: This study concluded that ۲۱۰۰-MHz EMF caused adverse effects on the cerebellum through astrocyte damage and crocin could partially reverse the EMF-related adverse effects.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electromagnetic field (EMF) ، Crocin ، Cerebellum ، Purkinje cell ، Astrocytes