Pinus halepensis essential oil attenuates the toxic Alzheimer’s amyloid beta (1-42)-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus

Publication date: April 2019Source: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 112Author(s): Paula Alexandra Postu, Fatima Zahra Sadiki, Mostafa El Idrissi, Oana Cioanca, Adriana Trifan, Monica Hancianu, Lucian HritcuAbstractThe most prevalent neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer’s dementia. It is determined by the deposits of amyloid-beta peptide which leads to memory impairment, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. Aromatherapy by using essential oils could represent a natural treatment option for Alzheimer′s dementia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the neuroprotective and nootropic effects of Pinus halepensis essential oil (PNO, 1% and 3%, administered for three weeks) in a rat model of acute amyloid beta (1-42) (Aβ1-42) toxicity. Rats were behaviorally tested (radial arm maze and Y-maze activities being used). Rats were divided into five groups (n = 5 / group): first group – vehicle, second group – Aβ1-42, the third and fourth group – PNO treatment groups (1% and 3%), and fifth group – donepezil group (as positive control, 5 mg/kg injected in Aβ1-42-treated rats). Antioxidant activity of the investigated essential oil was assessed using radical scavenging assays, such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) tests. Also, biochemical estimations of the brain homogenates for acetylcholinesterase and oxidative stress biomarkers were carried out. The essential oil reversed the amyloid beta (1-42)-...
Source: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research