Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the antidementia effects of ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (OS) and its underlying mechanisms using olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice. OBX mice were treated daily with OS or a reference drug, donepezil (DNP). Spatial and nonspatial working memory performance was measured using a modified Y maze test and a novel object recognition test, respectively. Brain tissues of the animals were subjected to histochemical and neurochemical analysis. OS treatment attenuated OBX-induced impairment of spatial and nonspatial working memories. OBX induced degeneration of septal cholinergic neurons, enlargement of the lateral ventricles, and suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis. OS and DNP treatment also depressed these histological damages. OS administration reduced ex vivo activity of acetylcholinesterase in the brain. OBX diminished the expression levels of genes coding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor type 2 (VEGFR2). Treatment with OS and DNP reversed OBX-induced decrease in VEGF gene and protein expression levels without affecting the expression of the VEGFR2 gene. These results demonstrate that the administration of OS can lessen the cognitive deficits and neurohistological damages of OBX and that these actions are, at least in part, mediated by the enhancement of central cholinergic systems and VEGF expression.
Highlights
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impairment of cognitive functions including memory, language, attention, comprehension, reasoning, and judgment
We examined the effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (OS) on the spatial working memory performance of OBX animals using the modified Y-maze test
Is histological changes caused by OBX were dose-dependently mitigated in the OBX groups treated with OS (200–400 mg/kg/day)
Summary
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impairment of cognitive functions including memory, language, attention, comprehension, reasoning, and judgment. E development of new drugs or strategies which are effective for prevention/therapy of dementia and safe for long-term use is needed. (OS), known as Ocimum tenuiflorum, is an aromatic plant in the family Lamiaceae, a widely distributed and cultivated plant grown throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Leaves of this plant contain essential oils, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-Oglucuronide, orientin, and olludistin), triterpenoids (oleanolic and ursolic acid), polyphenols, and tannins [1,2,3,4]. Us, daily intake of this herb has been believed to improve physical and mental health and promote physiological and cognitive function, thereby providing longevity [5,6,7,8] In Ayurvedic medicine, OS has been used as an adaptogen to help adapt to stress by balancing different body physiological processes. us, daily intake of this herb has been believed to improve physical and mental health and promote physiological and cognitive function, thereby providing longevity [5,6,7,8]
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