Eduviere A.T., Umukoro S., Aderibigbe A.O., Ajayi A.M., Adewole F.A.
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
Eduviere, A.T., 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; Umukoro, S., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Aderibigbe, A.O., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Ajayi, A.M., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Adewole, F.A., Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Aims 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. Main methods Male Swiss mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of MJ (10-40 mg/kg) alone or in combination with scopolamine (3 mg/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. Key findings 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. Significance 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. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
acetylcholinesterase; donepezil; glutathione; jasmonic acid methyl ester; malonaldehyde; superoxide dismutase; acetic acid derivative; biological marker; catalase; cholinesterase inhibitor; cyclopentane derivative; jasmonic acid methyl ester; malonaldehyde; oxylipin; scopolamine bromide; superoxide dismutase; animal experiment; animal model; antioxidant activity; Article; cholinergic transmission; controlled study; enzyme activity; male; memory; mouse; nonhuman; oxidative stress; scopolamine-induced cognitive defect; Alzheimer disease; analysis of variance; animal; brain; drug effects; maze test; memory; metabolism; oxidative stress; recognition; Mus; Acetates; Alzheimer Disease; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Biological Markers; Brain; Catalase; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Cyclopentanes; Male; Malondialdehyde; Maze Learning; Memory; Mice; Oxidative Stress; Oxylipins; Recognition (Psychology); Scopolamine Hydrobromide; Superoxide Dismutase