A comprehensive review on medicinal herbs and novel formulations for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases reported in the aging population across the globe. About 46.8 million people are reported to have dementia, and AD is mainly responsible for dementia in aged people. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is thought to occur due to the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the neocortex portion of the brain, nitric oxide mediated dysfunctioning of blood-brain barrier, reduced activity of serine racemase enzyme, cell cycle disturbances, damage of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Modern treatment methods target the pathways responsible for the disease. To date, solely symptomatic treatments exist for this disease, all making an attempt to counterbalance the neurotransmitter disturbance. Treatments able to prevent or at least effectively modifying the course of AD, referred to as ‘disease-modifying’ drugs, are still under extensive research. Effective treatments entail a better indulgence of the herbal bioactives by novel drug delivery systems. The herbal bioactive administered by novel drug delivery systems have proved beneficial in treating this disease. This review provides detailed information about the role of medicinal plants and their formulations in treating Alzheimer disease which will be highly beneficial for the researchers working in this area.

Changes in the Neurochemical Coding of the Anterior Pelvic Ganglion Neurons Supplying the Male Pig Urinary Bladder Trigone after One-Sided Axotomy of Their Nerve Fibers

The present study investigated the effect of unilateral axotomy of urinary bladder trigone (UBT)-projecting nerve fibers from the right anterior pelvic ganglion (APG) on changes in the chemical coding of their neuronal bodies. The study was performed using male pigs with immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The animals were divided into a control (C), a morphological (MG) or a molecular biology group (MBG). APG neurons supplying UBT were revealed using the retrograde tracing technique with Fast Blue (FB). Unilateral axotomy resulted in an over 50% decrease in the number of FB+ neurons in both APG ganglia. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant changes in the chemical coding of FB+ cells only in the right ganglion: decreased expression of dopamine-B-hydroxylase (DBH)/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and up-regulation of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)/choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), galanin (GAL), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and brain nitric oxide synthase (bNOS). The qPCR results partly corresponded with immunofluorescence findings. In the APGs, genes for VAChT and ChAT, TH and DBH, VIP, and NOS were distinctly down-regulated, while the expression of GAL was up-regulated. Such data may be the basis for further studies concerning the plasticity of these ganglia under experimental or pathological conditions.

Implication of Nitrergic System in the Anticonvulsant Effect of Ferulic Acid in Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures in Male Mice

Background and Aim: Given the widespread prevalence of seizures worldwide and the low efficacy of synthetic drugs, studies are needed to find new compounds with appropriate efficacy. Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound with antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The aim of present study was to investigate the role of nitrergic system in the anticonvulsant effect of FA in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in male mice. Material and Methods: 64 male NMRI mice weighing 25-29 g were randomly divided into 8 experimental groups (n=8). FA at doses 5, 10 and 40 mg / kg alone and in combination with L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) or L-arg (nitric oxide precursor) was administrated (i.p.). PTZ was injected (i.v. route) 30 min after drugs administration. Seizure onset time was recorded and the nitrite levels of prefrontal cortex and serum were determined by Griess Method. Results: FA at doses of 10 and 40 mg / kg significantly increased the seizure threshold as well as reduced the serum and brain nitric oxide levels in comparison to the saline- received group. Co-administration of effective dose of FA (10 mg/kg) plus L-arginine significantly decreased the seizure threshold in compared to the effective dose of FA alone. Co-injection of sub-effective dose of FA (5 mg/kg) with L-NAME significantly increased the seizure threshold as well as significantly decreased the brain nitric oxide level in compared to the sub-effective dose of FA alone.Conclusion: FA partially at least, via modulation of nitrergic system possessed anticonvulsant effect in PTZ-induced seizures in mice.

Effect of Annona Squamosa Ethanolic and Aqueous Leave Extracts on Aluminum Chloride-Induced Neuroinflammation in Albino Rats

Aluminum (Al) is present daily in our life, the long-term excessive Al intake induces neuroinflammation and cognition retardation. Annona squamosa leaves showed some medicinal activities as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic drugs. This study was designed to examine the effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of annona squamosa leaves against aluminum chloride (AlCl3-induced neuroinflammation in rats. 40 male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, 10 rats each. Group 1; (Control rats), Group 2; (rats received AlCl3 50mg/kg body weight orally (p.o), Group 3; (rats received AlCl3 and annona squamosa leave aqueous extracts (300mg/kg) and Group 4; (rats received AlCl3 and annona squamosa ethanolic extracts (300mg/kg). After two months; blood samples were collected for assessment of serum nuclear factor- ҡβ (NF-ҡβ) and Acetyl cholinesterase (Ach E). The brain of each rat was removed for assessment Brain nitric oxide, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), caspase 3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). AlCl3 increase brain MDA, NO, Ach E activity, NF-ҡβ and caspase 3, significant decreases in GSH, SOD activity and BDNF. Ethanolic or aqueous annona squamosa leaves extracts ameliorate MDA, NO, Ach. E activity, NF-ҡβ and caspase 3 and restore GSH, SOD activity and BDNF to near normal levels in AlCl3 treated rats. Conclusion: Both of ethanolic and aqueous annona squamosa leave extracts protect rat brain against oxidative stress and inflammation induced by AlCl3.