Protective effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced spatial learning and memory impairment

3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or “Ecstasy”, which has been used for recreational purposes, is shown to impair memory and brain functions. Statins, beyond their efficient cholesterol-lowering impact through inhibition of HMG-COA reductase enzyme, possess multiple actions referred to as pleiotropic effects. In this regard, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg; orally) and rosuvastatin (5, 10, 20 mg/kg; orally) for 21 consecutive days. Then, spatial memory and learning were evaluated by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with MDMA (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) 30 min before the first training session in 4 training days of MWM task. Afterward, rats were euthanized and their hippocampuses were dissected to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and caspase-3 and -9 activities. Our findings showed that MDMA (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly impaired spatial memory functions and dramatically increased ROS production, LPO, and caspase-3 and -9 activities compared to control. Also, atorvastatin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg) significantly improved memory performances and inhibited the elevation of ROS, LPO, and caspase-3 and -9 activities induced by MDMA. In conclusion, the results indicated that MDMA-induced cognitive impairment is followed by oxidative stress and activation of apoptotic pathways in the hippocampus. However, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin suppressed these deleterious consequences of MDMA and revealed protective effects against activation of pathways leading to cell damage.