Supplementation of carvacrol attenuates hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-alpha level, oxidative stress, and learning and memory dysfunction in lipopolysaccharide-exposed rats

Amooheydari, Zahra; Rajaei, Ziba; Alaei, Hojjatallah; Esmaeil, Nafiseh

Supplementation of carvacrol attenuates hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-alpha level, oxidative stress, and learning and memory dysfunction in lipopolysaccharide-exposed rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

² Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Carvacrol is a natural phenolic monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactivities. Neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress responses play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The present study examined the effect of carvacrol on brain tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level and oxidative stress as well as spatial learning and memory performances in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. Materials and Methods: The rats were treated with either carvacrol (25 and 50 mg/kg) or Tween 80 for 2 weeks. Thereafter, LPS (1 mg/kg) or saline was intraperitoneally administered on days 15–19, 2 h before Morris water maze task, and treatments with carvacrol or Tween 80 were performed 30 min prior to behavioral testing. The level of TNF-α, lipid peroxidation, and total thiol concentration were measured in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex at the end of the experiment. Results: It was found that LPS-exposed rats exhibited spatial learning and memory dysfunction, which was accompanied by increased TNF-α level and lipid peroxidation, and decreased total thiol concentration in the hippocampus and/or cortex. Moreover, treatment with carvacrol at a dose of 25 mg/kg attenuated learning and memory impairments, decreased TNF-α and lipid peroxidation level in the hippocampus and cortex, and increased total thiol concentration in the cortex. Conclusion: Carvacrol exerts neuroprotective effects against LPS-induced spatial memory deficits through attenuating hippocampal TNF-α level and oxidative stress in rats.

Keywords

References

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