Pre-treatment by Rosemary Extract or Cell Transplantation Improves Memory Deficits of Parkinson’s Disease: When Tradition Meets the Future

HIGHLIGHTS

Spatial learning and memory impairment through bilateral injection of 6-OHDA (6-Hydroxydopamine) into the SNc which also leads to the destruction of neurons in the hippocampus.

ADSCs (Adipose tissue-derived stem cells) transplantation had neuroprotective effect and recovered the memory deficit in 6-OHDA-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease.

Rosemary extract pre-treatment compensated the memory deficit in 6OHDA-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease.

ABSTRACT

The therapeutic effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) or RE on hippocampal neurogenesis and memory in Parkinsonian rats were investigated. Male rats were lesioned by bilateral intra-nigral injections of 6-OHDA and divided into six groups: 1. Lesion 2 and 3: RE and water groups were lesioned rats pretreated with RE or water, from 2weeks before neurotoxin injection and treated once a day for 8weeks post lesion. 4&5: Cell and α-MEM (α-minimal essential médium) received intravenous injection of BrdU-labeled ADSCs or medium, respectively from 10days post lesion until 8weeks later. 6: Sham was injected by saline instead of neurotoxin. Memory was assessed using Morris water Maze (MWM), one week before and at 1, 4 and 8weeks post 6-OHDA lesion. After the last probe, the animals were sacrificed and brain tissue obtained. Paraffin sections were stained using cresyl violet, anti-BrdU (Bromodeoxyuridine / 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine), anti-GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) and anti-TH antibodies. There was a significant difference of time spent in the target quadrant between groups during probe trial at 4 and 8 weeks’ post- lesion. Cell and RE groups spent a significantly longer period in the target quadrant and had lower latency as compared with lesion. Treated groups have a significantly higher neuronal density in hippocampus compared to water, α-MEM and lesion groups. BrdU positive cells were presented in lesioned sites. The GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) positive cells were reduced in treated and sham groups compared to the water, α-MEM and lesion groups. Oral administration of RE (Rosemary extract) or ADSCs injection could improve memory deficit in the Parkinsonian rat by neuroprotection.

Keywords:
Rosemary extract; cell transplantation; hippocampus; memory