Apigenin Ameliorates Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction and Neuronal Damage in Mice

Abstract

We investigated the protective effect and mechanisms of apigenin against cognitive impairments in a scopolamine-injected mouse model. Our results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of scopolamine leads to learning and memory dysfunction, whereas the administration of apigenin (synthetic compound, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) improved cognitive ability, which was confirmed by behavioral tests such as the T-maze test, novel objective recognition test, and Morris water maze test in mice. In addition, scopolamine-induced lipid peroxidation in the brain was attenuated by administration of apigenin. To further evaluate the protective mechanisms of apigenin on cognitive and memory function, Western blot analysis was carried out. Administration of apigenin decreased the B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bax/Bcl-2) ratio and suppressed caspase-3 and poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, apigenin down-regulated the β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme, along with presenilin 1 (PS1) and PS2 protein levels. Apigenin-administered mice showed lower protein levels of a receptor for advanced glycation end-products, whereas insulin-degrading enzyme, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression were promoted by treatment with apigenin. Therefore, this study demonstrated that apigenin is an active substance that can improve cognitive and memory functions by regulating apoptosis, amyloidogenesis, and BDNF/TrkB signaling pathways.

The Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Cyperus esculentus L. Extract in Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats: Extensive Biological and Metabolomics Approaches

“…Treatment with donepezil significantly reversed Scop-induced effects and managed to diminish the pro-apoptotic Bax mRNA level and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and to increase the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 mRNA level. These results are consistent with the previous results [ 87 , 88 ]. The administration of TN extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) decreased the Bax mRNA overexpression, while all doses of TN extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) promoted the Bcl2 mRNA expression, thus reducing the Bax/Bcl2 ratio, which indicates an anti-apoptotic effect.…”

The Ameliorative Effect of Apigenin or Silymarin as Add-On Therapy to Risperidone on Valproic Acid Induced Autism in Albino Rats: Implication of Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Autophagy

“…Groups treated with risperidone or apigenin or silymarin showed significant increases in alternation score. This impact is agreed with preceding research (22)(23)(24) that observed that risperidone, apigenin and silymarin enhanced the behavior in T-maze.…”

Neuroprotective Effects of Black Pepper Cold-Pressed Oil on Scopolamine-Induced Oxidative Stress and Memory Impairment in Rats

“…The scopolamine was dissolved in normal saline and administered intraperitoneally using an insulin syringe. Group III and IV: received donepezil (1 mg/kg/day) or CPO (100 mg/kg/day, as an emulsion form using distilled water containing 10% Tween 80), respectively, orally a week before scopolamine challenge, then concomitantly with scopolamine (1.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) [ 26 ] for another week.…”