Volume 12, Issue 3 (May & June 2021)                   BCN 2021, 12(3): 383-394 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


1- Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.
3- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Behshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
5- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
6- Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Abstract:  
Introduction: The increasing cases of Alzheimer Disease (AD) has caused numerous problems. The risk of developing AD increases in menopausal women, too. Apigenin and β-estradiol are effective antioxidant and neuroprotective agents. We conducted the present study to explore their combined effects on β-amyloid plaque formation, memory, and learning in ovariectomized rats.
Methods: Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups: 1) ovariectomized (OVX), 2) OVX + apigenin, 3) OVX + β-estradiol, 4) OVX + apigenin +  β-estradiol, 5 &6) vehicle shams for E2 and API , and 7) surgical sham. Treatment was done with apigenin and β-estradiol. Then, we studied the formation of β-amyloid plaques, neuronal density in the hippocampus area, apoptosis, memory, and learning.
Results: Findings showed the significant formation of β-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus of OVX animals and their memory impairment. Apigenin and β-estradiol significantly reduced the number of β-amyloid plaques, as well as the symptoms of memory impairment and learning, and decreased the expression of caspase-3 in treated animals.
Conclusion: Accordingly, β-estradiol and apigenin could have more potent therapeutic effects on AD.
Type of Study: Original | Subject: Behavioral Neuroscience
Received: 2020/06/12 | Accepted: 2020/08/9 | Published: 2021/05/1

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.