title: Amelioration of amyloid β-induced cognitive deficits by Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The limitations of current Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics have prompted investigation into innovative therapeutics focused on antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective agents including those from medicinal plants. Numerous plants have been tested for their potential for alleviating symptoms of AD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM) a member of Lamiaceae family has been used in Iranian traditional medicine for its beneficial effects on mental abilities. Therefore, the effect of its essential oil was evaluated in a rat model of AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) fragment 25-35 was injected bilaterally in the CA1 region of rats hippocampus and the effect of different doses of ZM essential oil (50, 100, or 200 μL/kg) on cognitive function was investigated in the Morris water maze. Acute toxicity of the essential oil was also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed increases in escape latency, traveled distance, heading angle, and decreases in target quadrant entries in Aβ-received groups as compared to the control group. This impairment was reversed by ZM essential oil. The results of acute toxicity testing revealed that the calculated LD50 (1264.9 μL/kg) is much higher than the therapeutic dose (100 μL/kg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticholinesterase activities of ZM or its main constituents might contribute to its beneficial effects in this model. Our findings suggest that ZM may be a potentially valuable source of natural therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD. However, further investigations are necessary to establish its clinical efficacy and potential toxicity, before any recommendations concerning its use as a medication in the treatment of AD.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. mnahid@yahoo.com
authors: Nahid
authors: N
authors: Majlessi
authors: Samira
authors: S
authors: Choopani
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Kamalinejad
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Azizi
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019686:Lamiaceae; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35)