Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal

en β-Amyloid Formation, Memory, and Learning Decline Following Long-term Ovariectomy and Its Inhibition by Systemic Administration of Apigenin and β-Estradiol Behavioral Neuroscience Behavioral Neuroscience Original Original 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. β-Amyloid plaques, β-Estradiol, Apigenin, Ovariectomy 383 394 http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2634-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Seyed Behnamedin Jameie jameie.sb@iums.ac.ir 13700319475328460035982 13700319475328460035982 Yes Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Abbas Pirasteh apirasteh6@gmail.com 13700319475328460035983 13700319475328460035983 No Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran. Ali Naseri Ali.N5@gmail.com 13700319475328460035984 13700319475328460035984 No Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Firoozabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran. Melika Sadat Jameie behjame@gmail.com 13700319475328460035985 13700319475328460035985 No Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Behshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mona Farhadi monafarhadi@yahoo.com 13700319475328460035986 13700319475328460035986 No Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran. Javad Fahanik Babaee Fahanikbabaee1358@gmail.com 13700319475328460035987 13700319475328460035987 No Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Leila Elyasi Elyasy_leila@yahoo.com 13700319475328460035988 13700319475328460035988 No Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.