Abstract
Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis L.) has been shown to possesses various biological activities such as wound healing activity, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, antiviral activity, immunostimulant activity, anticholinergic activity, antifungal activity, insect repellant activity, anticonvulsant activity, antimutagenic activity, and analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to investigate whether the bay leaf incense (BL) elicits the memory formation via the action on the cholinergic system using a scopolamine (Sco)-induced rat model. Rats were exposed to BL over 5 min in a smoking chamber apparatus once daily for 22 days, whereas memory impairment was induced by Sco (0.7 mg/kg), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, delivered 30 min before each behavioral test. The phytochemical composition of BL was achieved by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GCMS). Behavioral effects in rats were assessed by Y-maze, radial arm maze (RAM), and novel object recognition (NOR) paradigms. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the oxidative stress markers in the rat hippocampus were also evaluated. Exposure to BL significantly ameliorated Sco-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. The obtained results suggested that BL-induced ameliorative cognitive effects are mediated by enhancement of the cholinergic system and antioxidant activities.
Highlights
Cholinergic neurotransmission has been implicated in a variety of disease states [1].In several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the cholinergic system is recognized as a significant factor because acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in cognitive processes [2]
The bay leaf smoke was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis (Figure 2), and its chemical composition was presented in Table 1. 37 compounds, corresponding to 97.29% of the total smoke were identified in the bay leaf smoke
This is explained by the tensioactive properties of such volatiles in pharmaceutical technology essential oils being used as promoters for the absorption of active compounds [40]
Summary
Cholinergic neurotransmission has been implicated in a variety of disease states [1]. In several types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the cholinergic system is recognized as a significant factor because acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in cognitive processes [2]. A meta-analysis of 26 studies of donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine reported a modest but clinically significant overall benefit of these drugs for cognition, function, behavior, and global clinical change stabilization [4]. The AChE inhibitors, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are the most common drugs prescribed for the treatment of AD because they temporarily increase ACh availability in cholinergic synapses [5]. The use of cholinergic medications for AD has limitations because they tended to cause adverse
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call