Ameliorative potential of thymoquinone in four vessel occlusion induced vascular dementia in rats

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundVascular dementia (VaD) is a common type of dementia caused by reduction of blood flow to the brain via deprivation of brain cellular oxygen and nutrients supply. At present VaD is the second most occurring type of dementia in older adults and stoke patients. Around 55 million people have dementia globally. As per WHO survey is expected to rise to 78 million in 2030 and triple by 2050. Generally Hypo perfusion and thromboembolic events reduces the cerebral blood flow to the brain which leads to oxidative stress, hypoxia and inflammation further it causes mitochondrial dysfunction results in VaD. The current treatment for VaD relieves various unwanted side effects. However, the specific medicines with more potent and high efficacy are not explored yet. Neuro‐inflammation and oxidative stress has been widely correlated to be involved in the pathogenesis of VaD. Therefore, finding new therapeutic targets or drugs for VaD treatment is vital. Some of the herbal moieties and synthetic derivatives are reported to prevent cognitive disorders via amelioration of neurovascular disorders.MethodMale Wistar Albino Rats (weight, 150 to 180 g), Cerebral hypo perfusion (CPH) was done in rats to create hypoxia in order to induce VaD, after the CPH all animals were treated with Thymoquinone (TQ (5 and 10mg/kg)). Invitro study of mast cell degranulation, Behavioral assessments; Biochemical markers and Histopathological evaluation.Result4VO cause the potential neurovascular damage leads to significant changes in learning and memory functions along with the alteration of psychosocial and neuromotor functions. Besides, Four vessel occlusion (4VO) induces the bio‐molecular changes in hippocampus. Treatment of TQ shown significant (p < 0.05) ameliorative effect against 4VO induced cerebrovascular injury, cognitive impairments, neuroinflammation in rats. It is also comparable with the reference compound donepezil treatment. In the present study, it also showed the cognitive dysfunction with alteration of learning and memory functions. And, it also psychosocial behavior.ConclusionOur findings suggested that TQ may be use as a future medicine for metabolic and neurotoxic associated neurovascular disorders due to its potential anti‐oxidative, anti‐lipid peroxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory actions.