Methyl jasmonate enhances memory performance through inhibition of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Current research effort focuses on the development of safer natural compounds with multipronged mechanisms of action that could be used to ameliorate memory deficits in patients with Alzheimer's disease, as cure for the disease still remains elusive. In this study, we evaluated the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ), a naturally occurring bioactive compound on memory, acetylcholinesterase activity and biomarkers of oxidative stress in mice.


METHODS
Male Swiss mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of MJ (10-40 mg/kg) alone or in combination with scopolamine (3mg/kg) once daily for 7 days. Thirty minutes after the last treatment, memory functions were assessed using Y-maze and object recognition tests. Thereafter, acetylcholinesterase activity and levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed in mice brains using standard biochemical procedures.


RESULTS
MJ significantly enhanced memory performance and reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. MJ demonstrated significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity suggesting increased cholinergic neurotransmission. It further decreased malondialdehyde concentrations in mouse brain indicating antioxidant activity. Moreover, MJ significantly increased glutathione levels and activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) in mice brains. The increased oxidative stress; evidenced by elevated levels of malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidant defense systems in scopolamine-treated mice was attenuated by MJ.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that MJ may be useful in conditions associated with memory dysfunctions or age-related cognitive decline. The positive effect of MJ on memory may be related to inhibition of oxidative stress and enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity.
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Anthony T
AT
Eduviere
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Electronic address: umusolo@yahoo.com.
S
S
Umukoro
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Adegbuyi O
AO
Aderibigbe
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Abayomi M
AM
Ajayi
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Folashade A
FA
Adewole
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000085:Acetates; D015415:Biomarkers; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C072239:methyl jasmonate; D012601:Scopolamine; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
Anti-cholinesterase activity; Antioxidant; Memory; Methyl jasmonate; Object recognition test