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Ocimum basilicum attenuates ethidium bromide-induced cognitive deficits and pre-frontal cortical neuroinflammation,
Debapriya Garabadu1, Deepanshu Singh2
1Division of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, 281406, India. debapriya.garabadu@gla.ac.in.
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder with clinical symptoms of neuroinflammation and demyelination in the central nervous system. Recently, herbal medicines are clinically effective against MS as the current disease-modifying drugs have limited effectiveness. Hence, the present study evaluated the therapeutic potential of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OB) in ethidium bromide (EB)-induced cognitive deficits in the male rats. Further, the effect of OB (50, 100 and 200 μL/kg) was evaluated on EB-induced neuroinflammation, astrogliosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) of the animals. The EB was injected through bilateral intracerebroventricular route into hippocampus to induce MS-like manifestations in the rats. OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and Ursolic acid (UA) significantly reduced the EB-induced cognitive deficits in Morris water maze and Y-maze test paradigms. OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly attenuated the EB-induced neuroinflammation in terms of increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in the rat PFC. Further, OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly attenuated the EB-induced astrogliosis in terms of increase in the levels of GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) and Iba-1 (Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1) in the rat PFC. In addition, OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly attenuated the EB-induced decrease in the mitochondrial function, integrity, respiratory control rate and ADP/O in the PFC of the rodents. Moreover, OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly reduced the EB-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in the PFC of the rat. Hence, it can be presumed that OB could be a potential alternative drug candidate in the pharmacotherapy of MS.
Insights
Ocimum basilicum essential oil shows therapeutic potential for multiple sclerosis (MS) by reducing cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rats. This herbal medicine may offer an alternative treatment for MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Herbal Medicine Research
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuroinflammation and demyelination.
- Current disease-modifying drugs for MS have limited effectiveness, prompting research into alternative therapies.
- Herbal medicines are increasingly recognized for their potential therapeutic benefits in managing chronic conditions like MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OB) in an ethidium bromide (EB)-induced rat model of MS.
- To investigate the effects of OB on cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, astrogliosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pre-frontal cortex (PFC) of rats.
Main Methods:
- An animal model of MS was induced in male rats using bilateral intracerebroventricular injection of ethidium bromide (EB).
- Rats were treated with varying doses of Ocimum basilicum essential oil (OB) (50, 100, and 200 μL/kg) or Ursolic acid (UA).
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze and Y-maze tests. Neuroinflammation, astrogliosis, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis in the PFC were evaluated.
Main Results:
- OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly ameliorated EB-induced cognitive deficits.
- OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA markedly reduced neuroinflammation by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and astrogliosis markers (GFAP, Iba-1) in the PFC.
- OB (100 and 200 μL/kg) and UA significantly improved mitochondrial function and reduced apoptosis in the PFC.
Conclusions:
- Ocimum basilicum essential oil demonstrates significant therapeutic potential in mitigating MS-like symptoms in a rat model.
- OB effectively reduces cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, astrogliosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with MS.
- OB may serve as a promising alternative therapeutic agent for the pharmacotherapy of multiple sclerosis.
