Sesame Oil Modulates Scopolamine-Induced Alzheimer-Like Pathological Dysfunction in Rats.

Abstract

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the possible effectiveness of combination of sesame oil with anti-Alzheimer (AD) medication (rivastigmine) to attenuate scopolamine (Sco)-induced AD-like pathological dysfunctionin rats. Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawely rats (200±15 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 for each group). Group 1, negative control, received saline only. Group 2, positive control, received Sco (1 mg/kg/day, intrapritoneally, ip). Groups from 3 to 5 received rivastigmine (200 mg/kg/day, po), sesame oil (5ml/Kg/day, po) or their combination simultaneously with Sco for 4 weeks. Results: Administration of rivastigmine and/or sesame oil to Sco treated rats significantly increased brain levels of acetylcholine (Ach), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), brain fatty acid binding protein (FABP7), both reduced and oxidized glutathione and B-Cell lymphoma (Bcl2) as compared with positive control. On the other hand, the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and the levels of amyloid beta (Aβ) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines; interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were significantly decreased after administration of rivastigmine and/ or sesame oil as compared with positive control. The group treated with combination of sesame oil and rivastigmine showed more pronounced neuroprotective effects as compared with those treated with sesame oil or rivastigmine alone. Conclusion: Sesame oil exhibited synergistic effect with rivastigmine and can provide an effective option as a coadjuvant for effective improvement of AD