Ações encefálicas promovidas pela suplementação de extrato de linhaça e/ou amoreira em ratas ovariectomizadas

Abstract

Estrogen plays a fundamental role in regulating the female reproductive system and feeding behavior. Estrogen deficiency, induced by ovariectomy, is associated with increased body weight gain, food intake, and hippocampal susceptibility to oxidative stress. This study investigated the impact of flaxseed extract, mulberry extract, and estradiol supplementation on hippocampal oxidative stress, body weight gain, and Lee Index (LI) in ovariectomized Wistar rats. The study was conducted with Wistar rats, divided into non-ovariectomized (SHAM) and ovariectomized groups, which received daily supplementation of saline (OVX), flaxseed extract, mulberry extract, or estradiol (E2) for a period of eight weeks. At the end of the experimental period, body weight, daily food intake, and the Lee Index were evaluated. In the hippocampus, the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), in addition to hydroperoxide (H₂O₂) levels, were determined. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. Ovariectomy (OVX group) induced a significant increase in body weight gain, body length, and food intake compared to the SHAM group. The group treated with mulberry extract showed the highest Lee Index, while the SHAM group and the flaxseed group recorded the lowest values for body weight gain and food intake. Regarding oxidative stress, flaxseed extract stood out by promoting the greatest increase in SOD and CAT enzyme activities, in addition to effective control of H₂O₂ levels. Although mulberry extract showed antioxidant potential, its efficacy was inferior to that of flaxseed. These findings reinforce the viability of natural interventions, such as flaxseed, for the control of metabolic and oxidative disorders.