The effect of Nerolidol on the level of malondialdehyde and expression changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the Alzheimer's model of male Wistar rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is the cause of neurological deterioration. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Nerolidol is an herbal compound with antioxidant properties. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the survival and growth of neurons. The effect of nerolidol was investigated on BDNF gene expression and malondialdehyde (MDA) amount in Alzheimer's model of male Wistar rats induced by beta-amyloid.
Materials and Methods: The number of 48 rats was divided into 8 groups including control, sham, Alzheimer's model, drug solvent, Alzheimer's and treatment with donepezil, Alzheimer's and treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg nerolidol, and prevention group (treatment with nerolidol before induction of Alzheimer's). The expression changes of the BDNF gene was assayed by real-time PCR and the amount of malondialdehyde was assayed with a lipid peroxidation assay kit in hippocampus tissue with oneway analysis of variance and Tukey's test.
Results: Alzheimer's induction decreased BDNF gene expression and increased MDA in Alzheimer's group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Donepezil and nerolidol in both doses of 50 and 100 in donepezil, nerolidol, and prevention groups reduced Alzheimer's symptoms by increasing BDNF gene expression and reducing MDA compared to Alzheimer's group (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The data suggest the antioxidant properties of nerolidol, its effect in improving Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, and it can probably be effective in preventing Alzheimer's in susceptible people with a family history of Alzheimer's.
Keywords

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