Neuroprotective Effects of Myrtenal in an Experimental Model of Dementia Induced in Rats
Stela Dragomanova,
Stoyan Pavlov,
Desislava Marinova,
Yordan Hodzev,
Maria Cristina Petralia,
Paolo Fagone,
Ferdinando Nicoletti,
Maria Lazarova,
Elina Tzvetanova,
Albena Alexandrova,
Reni Kalfin,
Lyubka Tancheva
Affiliations
Stela Dragomanova
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
Stoyan Pavlov
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
Desislava Marinova
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria
Yordan Hodzev
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 26 Yanko Sakazov Blvd, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Maria Cristina Petralia
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
Paolo Fagone
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy
Ferdinando Nicoletti
Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123 Catania, Italy
Maria Lazarova
Department of Biological Effects of Natural and Synthetic Substances, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Elina Tzvetanova
Department of Biological Effects of Natural and Synthetic Substances, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Albena Alexandrova
Department of Biological Effects of Natural and Synthetic Substances, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Reni Kalfin
Department of Biological Effects of Natural and Synthetic Substances, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Lyubka Tancheva
Department of Biological Effects of Natural and Synthetic Substances, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St., Block 23, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
There is growing attention on natural substances capable of stimulating the cholinergic system and of exerting antioxidant effects, as potential therapeutic agents in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the expected neuroprotective mechanisms of myrtenal (M) in an experimental model of dementia in rats. Dementia was induced in male Wistar rats by scopolamine (Sc) administration (0.1 mg/kg for 8 days and 20.0 mg/kg on day 9). The animals were divided into 5 groups (1) Controls; (2) Sc; (3) Sc + Myrtenal (40 mg/kg), (4) Sc + Galantamine (1 mg/kg); (5) Sc + Lipoic acid (30 mg/kg). Changes in recognition memory and habituation were evaluated via the Novel Object Recognition and Open Field tests. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, ACh levels, and changes in oxidative status of the brain were measured biochemically. The histological changes in two brain regions—cortex and hippocampus, were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Myrtenal improved recognition memory and habituation, exerted antioxidant effects and significantly increased ACh brain levels. Histologically, the neuroprotective capacity of myrtenal was also confirmed. For the first time, we have demonstrated the neuroprotective potential of myrtenal in an experimental model of dementia. Our study provides proof-of-concept for the testing of myrtenal, in association with standard of care treatments, in patients affected by cognitive decline.
