Protective Effect of Boswellic Resin Against Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Induced by Aluminum Tetrachloride and D-Galactose (Experimental study in Mice)
Pages 306 to 315
Cite this article
- ZERROUKI, K.,
- NDJIO, Basile,
- GADOUCHE, L.,
- ORHAN, I. Erdogan,
- DENIZ, F. SezerSenol
- and ERDEM, S. Aslan,
- Zerrouki, K..,
- et al.
- Zerrouki, K.,
- Ndjio, B.,
- Gadouche, L.,
- Orhan, I.-E.,
- Deniz, F.-S.
- and Erdem, S.-A.
https://doi.org/10.3166/phyto-2020-0222
Cite this article
- Zerrouki, K.,
- Ndjio, B.,
- Gadouche, L.,
- Orhan, I.-E.,
- Deniz, F.-S.
- and Erdem, S.-A.
- Zerrouki, K..,
- et al.
- ZERROUKI, K.,
- NDJIO, Basile,
- GADOUCHE, L.,
- ORHAN, I. Erdogan,
- DENIZ, F. SezerSenol
- and ERDEM, S. Aslan,
https://doi.org/10.3166/phyto-2020-0222
Introduction
1 Alzheimer's disease (AD), a type of dementia, is an irreversible and progressive brain disease that affects the aged 65 or over. In these last decades, it concerned the younger people. The causes of AD and other dementias are not completely understood, but researchers have confirmed that this disease is heterogeneous, multifactorial, and can appear with the high expression of one of its factors especially environmental and lifestyle that contain the oxidative stress sources. The incidence of the disease increases with age and doubles every 5 years [1].
2 Oxidative stress, a process increased in the brain with aging, is induced by an imbalance in the redox state, involving the generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) or the dysfunction of the antioxidant system. Cells with an accumulation of oxidized products be seriously altered. Consequently, the considerable ROS formation increased by the electron transport system within the mitochondria under stressful conditions and in aging constitutes a risk for developing AD, when no efficient antioxidant system is available [2].
3 Nowadays, the risk factors are doubled with some prooxidants like aluminum, bioavailable because of its widely used and exploitation due to its reactive nature [3] and its high reactivity with another mineral element [4].
4 Some research proves that the encephalopathy is the result of dialysis because of the use of aluminum. The omnipresence on this element is doubt about other possible adverse effects on human health, including its role in neurodegenerative diseases including AD and Parkinson's disease [5].
5 This prooxidant is a neurotoxin bioavailable through the digestive tract or through the lung tissue and is responsible for several mechanisms of action on the central nervous system [6]. There are suggestions that aluminum cumulates in bones, brain, and liver of people suffering from kidney disabilities and people on dialysis. The excess of aluminum was discovered in the brain of Alzheimer's disease victims [7,8].
6 It is considered controversially as a potential risk factor in AD [9] and is known to have a serious adverse effect on learning ability [4].
7 AD led to behavioral disorders and a gradual and irreversible loss of cognitive functions, including memory with installation of a fatal evolution of dementia. The treatment of the neurodegenerative diseases is unfortunately symptomatic and cannot resolve the problem; this is why researchers thought about antioxidant sources in order to limit the causes of these abnormalities, but it is still experimental [10]. Given the toxicity of certain drugs, the current research is focused on herbal medicine. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of Boswellic resin on these neurological abnormalities by analyzing some parameter on the AD induced by aluminum chloride associated with D-galactose.
8 The genus Boswellia comprises about 20 species of trees or shrubs producing an aromatic resin of the Burseraceous family native to Africa and Asia. The resin of several species is operating as incense or frankincense [11]. The bark of the trunk is the most used part Pharmacopoeia; it represents 80% of the crop and is the subject of commercial exploitation [12]. Its decoction is drunk against dysentery, hemorrhoids, and angina. Dried and crushed, the bark is useful in combination with other herbs to treat malaria, yellow fever, stomach ailments, and many childhood diseases. The bark of Boswellia dalzielii is also used against rheumatism, gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, asthma, pleurisy, and appendicitis [13,14]. It has antiseptic properties, healing, antifungal, and serves as a treatment of skin corns, externally to treat sores, ulcers, and dental caries [13,14].
Materials and Methods
Plants and Animals
9 The Boswellic resin used in this experiment was collected from Algerian Desert (Adrar region), identified by Dr. Belhacini Fatima from Chlef University (Algeria), and extracted and studied in vitro at Gazi University and Ankara University (Turkey).
Distillation of Essential Oil
10 The powdered resin (500 g) was subjected to hydrodistillation for three hours using the apparatus of the European Pharmacopoeia (Clevenger apparatus) to obtain essential oils.
GC-MS Conditions for Essential Oil and Hydrosol Analysis
11 GC analysis for the essential oil obtained from the resin of Boswellia carterii was performed on an Agilent 6890N Network GC system, under the following conditions: column, HP-INNOWax Capillary; 60.0 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm; oven temperature program; the column held initially at 60 °C for 10 min after injection, then increased to 220 °C with 4 °C/min heating ramp for 10 min, and increased to 240 °C with 1 °C/min heating ramp without hold. The rest of the conditions were as follows: injector temperature: 250 °C; detector (FID) temperature: 250 °C; carrier gas: He; split ratio: 20:1; and injected volume: 1.0 μL. The samples were also analyzed by GC-MS using Agilent 6890N Network GC system combined with Agilent 5973 Network Mass Selective Detector. The GC conditions were given in following order: Column: HP-INNOWax Capillary (60.0 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm); oven temperature program: column held initially at 60 °C for 10 min after injection, then increased to 220 °C with 4 °C/min heating ramp for 10 min, and increased to 240 °C with 1 °C/min heating ramp without hold; injector temperature, 250 °C; carrier gas, helium; column flow, 1.2 mL/min; split ratio, 20:1; and injected volume, 1.0 μL. MS conditions were regulated as follows: ionization energy: 70 eV and mass range: 35–450 atomic mass units [15].
DMPD Radical Scavenging Assay
12 The principle of the N, N-dimethyl-1,4-diaminobenzene method (DMPD) is identical to that of DPPH. In this assay, DMPD is converted into a solution relatively from a stable radical and colored by the action of ferric salt. After the addition of a sample containing free radicals, they are swept and the colored solution becomes discolored [16,17]. The protocol of this experiment [18] consists of adding 10 μl of the extracts to the preceding mixture, 10 μl of ethanol serving as blank, and ascorbic acid as a positive control.
13 After 10 min necessary for the reaction, the absorbance is measured at λ = 505 nm.
Metal Chelation Method
14 The direct reaction of a substance is not the only mechanism by which antioxidants can display their activity. The chelation of metals by certain compounds decreases their pro-oxidative effect by reducing their oxidation–reduction potential and stabilizing the oxidized form of the metal. The chelating compounds can also sterically hinder the formation of the metal hydroperoxide complex. The chelation activity of the extracts is compared with a chelation standard, EDTA; the protocol of this experiment consists in adding 10 μl of the iron chloride solution (FeCl 2) to 20 μl of the extracts and then adding 40 μl of ferrocene; the reaction requires 10 min, and the reading of the absorbance is made at 562 nm [19].
Anticholinesterase Activity
15 The inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) of the extracts was described in Ellman's modified spectrophotometric method [20]. AChE from electric eel (Type-VI-S, EC 3.1.1.7, Sigma) and horse serum BChE (EC 3.1.1.8, Sigma) were used as sources of the enzymes, while iodide acetylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine chloride (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) were used as substrates for the reaction. 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) was used for the measurement of cholinesterase activity. In brief, 140 μL sodium phosphate of 0.1 mM, buffer (pH 8.0), 20 μL of 0.2 M DTNB, 20 μL of sample solution, and 20 μL of 0.2 M AChE/BChE in solution were added by the multichannel automatic pipette (Gilson Pipetman, France) in a 96-well microplate, and incubated for 15 min at 25 °C. The reaction was then initiated with the addition of 10 μl of 0.2 M acetylthiocholine iodide/butyrylthiocholine chloride. The hydrolysis of iodide acetylthiocholine/butyrylthiocholine chloride was followed by the formation of the yellow color of the 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoate anions as a result of the reaction of DTNB with thiocholines, catalyzed by enzymes to a wavelength of 412 nm using a 96–microplate reader (VersaMax, Molecular Devices, USA). Galanthamine, the drug-type anticholinesterase alkaloid isolated from snowdrop bulbs (Galanthus sp.) from Sigma (St. Louis, MO, USA), was used as a reference [19].
In vivo Experimentation
16 The medicinal plant product selected in our study for the treatment of AD is Boswellic resin collected from Adrar (Algeria) administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg.
Animals
17 The animal model chosen for this study is the “Swiss” mice from the Pasteur Institute (Algiers). A staff of 42 mice with an average weight of 30 ± 5 g were bred in the pet shop of Mostaganem University in the conditions of light and temperature adequate.
Chemicals
18 AD was induced by aluminum chloride dissolved in distilled water with a dose of 100 mg/kg administered orally, combined with the injection dose 200 mg/kg of D-galactose intraperitoneally.
Distribution of Experimental Batches
19 This study has an important interest in preventive effect of Boswellic resin against AD induced by AlCl3 combined with the D-galactose [20].
20 Four experimental groups with seven mice in each group are as follows:
21 Group 1 represents the control (T) receiving drinking water for 90 days.
22 Group 2 represents the control treated group (T. Tr) by the resin powder Boswellic (dissolved in distilled water) at a dose of 200 mg/kg administered orally for 90 days.
23 Group 3 represents the Alzheimer model group (ALZ): the mice received AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally and 0.1 ml of D-galactose at a dose of 200 mg/kg administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) during 90 days.
24 Group 4 represents the treated AD model (Tr.ALZ): the mice received AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally last 20 h/day and 0.1 ml of D-galactose at a dose of 200 mg/kg administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) for 90 days followed by treatment with Boswellia resin powder (dissolved in distilled water) at a dose of 200 mg/kg orally, 4 h/day for 90 days.
Memory Test
The Eight-arm Maze (Spatial Working Memory)
25 The evaluation of the animal's memory requires different types of maze. They have served in neurology for the last two centuries. Researchers recently have offered several models of labyrinthe; the most used is the radial maze eight arms to assess the memory acquired during successive days of learning.
26 To become accustomed to the test, the mice were placed on the central platform; the food is lodged at the ends of an arm of the eight. The mouse subsequently is placed on the center with free access to all lanes.
27 The mouse should look for food at the end of each lane; it is recorded in the visit score, for a period 5 days, 5 min per session.
The Pool of Morris
28 This test constitutes one of the most used to assess the capacity to store and manage spatial information in animals in an aversive situation [21]. The task is to locate the position, using heterogeneous distal clues, a “refuge” platform (on which the mouse will seek refuge to escape the liquid medium) in a basin filled with water clouded by adding a dye (white colorant for our test). To carry out this task, the mouse has only external clues to the device.
29 During spatial memory reference (MSR), the platform is made invisible to the animal being slightly immersed and forces the animal to use a strategy built on a mental representation of his position. In the case of spatial working memory (MST), the platform is being exposed and thus visible tip that allows the mouse to use a guiding strategy. These tests are held in five sessions with one session per day.
30 Performance is evaluated based on measurements of the time required to reach the platform “latency”, and it decreases over time testing and represents learning; normal mice are able to achieve the platform using the shortest path regardless of their starting point.
Results
GC–MS Analysis
31 Identification of the components in the essential oil was assigned by comparison of their mass spectra with Wiley and Nist essential oil libraries. Percentages of the components were calculated from the GC peak areas using the normalization method. In this study, we could identify 89.67% of the total extract compounds (Table 1).
Composition of the essential oil (%) of Boswellic resin oil
| RRIa | Retention time | Compounds | Area % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 987 | 14,584 | α-Pinene | 0.23 |
| 2 | 999 | 15,215 | Toluene | 0.36 |
| 3 | 1177 | 22,483 | Limonene | 1.99 |
| 4 | 1196 | 22,836 | 1,8-Cineole | 0.69 |
| 5 | 1235 | 24,583 | (Z)-β-Ocimene | 0.34 |
| 6 | 1250 | 25,271 | n-Hexyl acetate | 0.10 |
| 7 | 1254 | 25,480 | p-Cymene | 0.24 |
| 8 | 1262 | 25,853 | 2-Octanone | trb |
| 9 | 1267 | 26,071 | Octanal | 0.20 |
| 10 | 1356 | 29,936 | 2-Nonanone | 0.11 |
| 11 | 1362 | 30,180 | Nonanal | tr |
| 12 | 1376 | 30,739 | Benzene, 1-methoxy-2-methyl | 0.21 |
| 13 | 1390 | 31,314 | n-Octyl formate | 0.44 |
| 14 | 1402 | 31,774 | cis-Linalool oxide | 0.27 |
| 15 | 1430 | 32,755 | trans-Linalool oxide | tr |
| 16 | 1448 | 33,391 | n-Octyl acetate | 64.30 |
| 17 | 1494 | 34,993 | Linalool | 1.12 |
| 18 | 1509 | 35,439 | n-Octanol | 10.97 |
| 19 | 1566 | 37,050 | 2-Undecanone | tr |
| 20 | 1570 | 37,155 | 4-Terpineol | 0.16 |
| 21 | 1634 | 38,817 | 2,6-Octadiene,2,6-dimethyl | 0.35 |
| 22 | 1659 | 39,411 | Decyl acetate | 0.38 |
| 23 | 1676 | 39,811 | α-Terpineol | 0.27 |
| 24 | 1706 | 40,599 | l-Verbenone | 0.20 |
| 25 | 1727 | 41,284 | Carvone | 0.30 |
| 26 | 1731 | 41,437 | Geranyl acetate | tr |
| 27 | 1767 | 42,615 | Cuminic aldehyde | 0.27 |
| 28 | 1793 | 43,503 | Hexanoic acid | 0.25 |
| 29 | 1797 | 43,638 | trans-Carveol | 0.21 |
| 30 | 1806 | 43,898 | para-Cymen-8-ol | tr |
| 31 | 1817 | 44,173 | 3,5-Dimethoxy toluene | 0.29 |
| 32 | 1828 | 44,469 | cis-Carveol | 0.10 |
| 33 | 1897 | 46,269 | Heptanoic acid | 0.21 |
| 34 | 2002 | 48,904 | Octanoic acid | 0.75 |
| 35 | 2107 | 51,445 | Nonanoic acid | 0.53 |
| 36 | 2180 | 53,338 | Cembrene | 0.20 |
| 37 | 2212 | 54,226 | Decanoic acid | 0.68 |
| 38 | 2429 | 61,518 | Dodecanoic acid | 2.61 |
| 39 | 2620 | 71,268 | Tetradecanoic acid | 0.34 |
| Monoterpene hydrocarbons | 2.80 | |||
| Oxygenated monoterpenes | 3.59 | |||
| Diterpene hydrocarbons | 0.20 | |||
| Ester derivatives | 65.22 | |||
| Others | 17.86 | |||
| Total identified | 89.67 |
Composition of the essential oil (%) of Boswellic resin oil
a Relative retention indices determined on HP-INNOWax columnb Trace (< 0.1%)
Antioxidant Activity
32 The result of the antioxidant activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Boswellic resin (B-etOH and B-meOH) tested by DMPD and metal chelation showed an important activity for the metal chelation compared to the DMPD (Table 2).
Antioxidant activity of the two extracts ethanolic (B-EtOH) and methanolic (B-MeOH) of Boswellic resin compared to the positive and negative controls (ethanol)
| Samples (concentration of 2 g/l) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-EtOH | B-MeOH | EDTA | Asc.Ac. | EtOH | |
| DMPD | 0.43 ± 0.005 | 0.46 ± 0.005 | – | 0.12 ± 0.002 | 0.49 ± 0.08 |
| Metal chelation | 1.58 ± 0.046 | 1.67 ± 0.037 | 0.074 ± 0.007 | – | 2.37 ± 0.52 |
Antioxidant activity of the two extracts ethanolic (B-EtOH) and methanolic (B-MeOH) of Boswellic resin compared to the positive and negative controls (ethanol)
AChE and BChE Inhibitory Activity
33 The inhibitory anticholinesterase activity (essential oil, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts) was tested against AChE and BChE at 100 μg/mL using a microplate Elisa Reader.
A/Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oil
34 Our results indicated that our extract proves more inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase compared to the AChE (Table 3).
Percentage of the essential oil inhibition against AChE and BchE
| % of inhibition against AChE | % of inhibition against BChE | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62.5 μg/mla | 250 μg/ml | 500 μg/ml | 1,000 μg/ml | 62.5 μg/ml | 125 μg/ml | 250 μg/ml | 500 μg/ml | 1,000 μg/ml | |
| Ess. oil | –b | – | – | 21.92 ± 3.04c | 11.96 ± 2.02 | 14.45 ± 0.27 | 17.93 ± 2.31 | 19.46 ± 4.36 | 25.16 ± 3.12 |
Percentage of the essential oil inhibition against AChE and BchE
B/Inhibitory Activity of Ethanolic and Methanolic Extracts
35 A very weak inhibition of AChE in the methanolic extract at high concentration was observed, compared to the BChE whose inhibition is considerable with all doses (Table 4).
Inhibitory percentage of AChE and BChE in EtOH and MeOH extracts
| % Inhibition on AChE | % Inhibition on BChE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 μg/ml | 500 μg/ml | 1000 μg/ml | 250 μg/ml | 500 μg/ml | 1000 μg/ml | |
| B-EtOH | –b | –b | –b | 31.19 ± 1.87 | 38.82 ± 2.78 | 44.55 ± 3.45 |
| B-MeOH | –b | –b | 11.04 ± 1.10 | 34.77 ± 1.64 | 40.61 ± 1.10 | 46.47 ± 4.28 |
Inhibitory percentage of AChE and BChE in EtOH and MeOH extracts
a Final concentrationb No inhibition
c values in medium ± SD (N = 3)
Neurological Parameters
Memory Tests
36 In this test, it was found that treated AD mice and Alzheimer's model mice took much time to get to the food compared to mice treated control and control (Fig. 1).
The result of eight-arm maze test of AD mice (Alz) induced by AlClз (100 mg/kg Oral + 0.1 cm3IP of D-Galactose 200 mg/kg), Alzheimer's treated (Alz.Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days
The result of eight-arm maze test of AD mice (Alz) induced by AlClз (100 mg/kg Oral + 0.1 cm3IP of D-Galactose 200 mg/kg), Alzheimer's treated (Alz.Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days
Morris Pool
37 In working spatial memory, the AD mice took longer to reach the visible platform from the third day; by cons, the treated control mice, control, and Alzheimer's treated mice have less time to detected the visible platform (Fig. 2).
The result of Morris water maze test of Alzheimer's model mice (Alz) induced by AlClз (100 mg/kg Oral + 0.1 cm3 IP of D-Galactose 200 mg/kg), Alzheimer's treated (Alz.Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days
The result of Morris water maze test of Alzheimer's model mice (Alz) induced by AlClз (100 mg/kg Oral + 0.1 cm3 IP of D-Galactose 200 mg/kg), Alzheimer's treated (Alz.Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days
Histological Study
38 The histological study of the cerebral cortex showed a very big difference between the treated Alzheimer's and Alzheimer's model; for the treated Alzheimer's, we can clearly observe the inflammatory reaction with a homogenous tissue with a normal cell density compared to the control's; contrariwise, Alzheimer's model cortex presents non-homogenize tissue with a vacuolization, neuronal loss, and fibrillary form of amyloid deposits (Fig. 3).
Histological study of cerebral cortex in H&E stain of Alzheimer's model brain (Alz), treated Alzheimer's (Alz. Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days (G × 400) (V: vacuolization; NL: neuronal loss; AD: amyloid deposition; NC: normal cell; IF: inflammatory infiltrate)
Histological study of cerebral cortex in H&E stain of Alzheimer's model brain (Alz), treated Alzheimer's (Alz. Tr) by Boswellic resin (200 mg/kg) 0.1 cm3 IP, and the control (Control) without any treatment; for 90 days (G × 400) (V: vacuolization; NL: neuronal loss; AD: amyloid deposition; NC: normal cell; IF: inflammatory infiltrate)
Discussion
39 The chemical composition of Boswellic resin identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy could identify 89.67% of the composition; other frequent components have not been identified. The identification of the essential oil components of the resin was based on the comparison of their spectroscopic mass with the Wiley and Nist base of essential oils.
40 We compared our results the certified botanical origin with those of the literature. While the abundant literature documenting triterpene composition exists in olibanum (due to their properties), by counts the description of volatile terpenes of olibanum is rare. It is an ingredient (obtained by hydrodistillation) which is widely used in perfumery, in particular, as a fixative. However, the botanical origin of the olibanum sample was often not specified. The present work demonstrated the similar chemical composition of olibanum of different species. This coincides with Pernet's work [22], which revealed by an ethnobotanical and chemical investigation of the Burseraceae family and Thulin and Warfa's [23] conclusion that its species should not be considered as distinct species because they differ only in their geographical location. More recently, in an article on the analysis of triterpenes from various HPLC samples of olibanum, Mathe et al. [24] found the same components of two different species. Surprisingly, our description of the chemical composition of the Boswellic resin of southern Algeria (Adrar) considered by botanical comparison Boswellia carterii is in accordance with that described in the literature with the exception of certain compounds [25].
41 A number of publications report octyl acetate (64), octanol (11), α-pinene(0.23), and limonene, cineole as the main constituents of the essential oil of Boswellia carterii olibanum [25,26].
42 The literature on the chemical composition of olibanum is often confused as to the true origin of olibanum. Two names exist for olibanum: Resins and gum Aden and Eritrea. According to Peyron [27], both are collected by craftsmen, and then they are washed, separated, and exported, but the relationship between their botanical origin and denomination is unclear. Three independent studies have shown that the chemical composition of “Aden” called olibanum was similar to that of our Boswellia carterii olibanum of Aden, with an α-pinene(0.23), limonene (2), and p- Cymene (0.24) as major components. An olibanum sold under the name “Eritrea” showed the predominance of octyl acetate. Our results confirm the identification by observation of the species studied.
43 The antioxidant activity may be due to bioactive substances present in essential oils and are mainly polyphenols; it has been demonstrated that the free radical scavenging activity is strongly influenced by the phenolic composition of the essential oils but it is well known that the essential oil of Boswellia is richer in monoterpenes (α-pinene, limonene, cineole, p-cymene,etc.) and alcohol (octanol,...), and explains why antioxidant activity is higher compared to that of essential oils poor in polyphenol and is lower compared to that of essential oils rich in polyphenols as the case of rosemary which is considered as a reference antioxidant by Thymus capitatus [28].
44 Anticholinesterase activity is one of the parameters involved in AD's pathology; nerve cells deteriorate gradually, especially producing acetylcholine, important substance for the memory. It has been shown that there is a decrease in acetylcholine concentration in the patients’ brains with AD for that the anticholinesterase inhibitors reduce the activity of acetylcholinesterase, enzyme destroying acetylcholine. Their action therefore favors the elevation of acetylcholine concentration in the brain.
45 These treatments with Boswellic resin can be involved partially in this study; the decreasing potential is not very important that can be explicated that the tested extracts (essential oil, EtOH, and MeOH extracts) are not the total composition.
46 AD is characterized by memory deficiency, decreasing learning ability and its cephalic disorders. Indeed, in our study, we were interested in studying the effect of Boswellic resin on the behavior and learning of AD model that has been studied by a series of tests in mice, followed by histological studies.
47 Herbal treatment shows extensive use against these disease effects. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of Boswellic resin was evaluated. Several previous studies have shown the neurotoxicity of D-galactose with aluminum chloride [29,30]. Moreover, they induce sporadic experimental dementia of the Alzheimer type [31].
48 Indeed, in our experience, we have an interest in the study of spatial reference memory (long-term memory) and working memory (short-term memory) in used mazes. In memory evaluation maze test results, the Alzheimer mice were largely taken time to get to the right area compared to other groups.
49 The usually maze was used in manipulations of acquisition protocols [32]. Control mice engage in a behavior driven by the memory (procedural) (right), but eventually change led to a behavior according to the spatial references, indicating flexibility in their cognitive processing of the situation contrary to this which has been found for Alzheimer's mouse model [32].
50 The Morris water maze test is for the purpose of assessing spatial working memory (MST), or spatial reference memory (MSR); it was observed that Alzheimer's mice spend a lot more time to get to the platform, compared to the treated and control mice. These results are in agreement with the work of Luo et al. [33] who noticed that these poisoned take much longer to reach the platform compared to controls. These Alzheimer's model mice reveal a spatial learning deficit and the ability to memorize.
51 Ito et al. [34] have concluded from their research that Alzheimer's impairs spatial memory, including long-term memory (reference memory). This deterioration of cognitive functions is the consequence of neurodegeneration and histopathological changes in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus due to a high level of oxidative stress induced in Alzheimer's model [35].
52 A disturbance of the functions of the hippocampus produces deficits in learning and acquisition process in the short-term memory. These changes are the result of the neuron degeneration in Alzheimer's. Histologically, there are two types of lesions: Reducing cells density; it is about extracellular lesions; neurofibrillary lesions, more systematized, marked by the non-homogenate tissues with a fibrillary form; it is about intracellular lesions.
53 On the other hand, the treated Alzheimer's tissues seem better in cell density, tissue homogenization, but presented an inflammatory reaction that can be explicated with the immune system stimulation by the Boswellic resin, improvement in nerves’ functions [36].
Conclusion
54 The mechanisms behind AD are presently poorly understood. The most cases of AD appear to be a multifactorial, resulting from the interaction of various genetic and environmental factors that might promote their appearance.
55 In the search for effective treatment against neurodegenerative diseases, particularly AD, medicinal plants are probably an endless source of biologically active and varied pharmacological substances. The main objectives of this study were to assess as precisely and broadly Boswellic resin effect on cognitive capacities in Alzheimer's model mice, as well as reducing the effect of prooxidant in brain which is the main cause in our case.
56 The results are promising a new therapy which can be used in pharmacological field improving memory and the same time protecting the brain against any use of products containing the oxidative stress inducers.
Conflicts of Interests:
The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.References
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Publisher keywords: Alzheimer's, Boswellic resin, Memory, Neuroprotection, Neurotoxicity
Uploaded: 09/26/2024
https://doi.org/10.3166/phyto-2020-0222