Tualang Honey Attenuates Noise Stress-Induced Memory Deficits in Aged Rats.
Ageing and stress exposure may lead to memory impairment while oxidative stress is thought to be one of the underlying mechanisms involved. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Tualang honey supplementation on memory performance in aged rats exposed to noise stress. Tualang honey supplementation was given orally, 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Rats in the stress group were subjected to loud noise, 100 dB(A), 4 hours daily for 14 days. All rats were subjected to novel object recognition test for evaluation of memory performance. It was observed that the rats subjected to noise stress exhibited significantly lower memory performance and higher oxidative stress as evident by elevated malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels and reduction of antioxidant enzymes activities compared to the nonstressed rats. Tualang honey supplementation was able to improve memory performance, decrease oxidative stress levels, increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration, decrease acetylcholinesterase activity, and enhance neuronal proliferation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. In conclusion, Tualang honey protects against memory decline due to stress exposure and/or ageing via enhancement of mPFC and hippocampal morphology possibly secondary to reduction in brain oxidative stress and/or upregulation of BDNF concentration and cholinergic system.
Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Khairunnuur Fairuz
KF
Azman
Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Rahimah
0000-0002-2459-3213
R
Zakaria
Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Che Badariah
CB
Abdul Aziz
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Zahiruddin
Z
Othman
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006722:Honey; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020011:Protective Agents; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase