Effect of Capparis spinosa L. on cognitive impairment induced by D-galactosein mice via inhibition of oxidative stress

Abstract

IntroductionAlzheimer disease (AD) is neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the gradual deterioration of memory and other cognitive functions. Increase in age is a major risk factor for this disease and the prevalence of AD has increased worldwide as the elderly population of the world is increasing (1). The neuropathological hallmarks of AD brains are amyloid beta fibrils in senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal loss (2). The etiopathogenesis of AD is multifactorial and it is suggested that oxidative stress has a significant role in the beginning and progression of this disease, yet the sources of free radicals and the mechanisms disrupting the redox balance remain elusive (3-5).D-Galactose is a reducing sugar found in the body. When it is present at higher levels than normal, it can be converted to galactitol by galactose oxidase, resulting in the generation of oxygen-derived free radicals (6). Chronic systemic exposure to D-galactose induces aging-related changes such as corruption of spatial learning, memory loss, neurodegeneration, and diminishing activities of antioxidant enzymes and increased production of free radicals (7-9).Capparis spinosa L. is a long-lasting shrubby plant that belongs to the family Capparidaceae and grows naturally throughout the world, especially widely in the Mediterranean basin. It has been used since ancient times for aromatic properties in cooking, and besides its use as flavoring, C. spinosa has also been used as a traditional herbal medicine for its antihypertensive, poultice, tonic, and diuretic characteristics (10). This plant has been investigated for several pharmacological effects. The bud extract of C. spinosa inhibits the replication of herpes simplex virus type 2 and upregulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (11). It was demonstrated that the methanol extracts of C. spinosa flowering buds have antiallergic effectiveness (12), and the lyophilized extract of C. spinosa buds shows in vitro antioxidant effectiveness Background/aim: To determine the phenolic acid levels and DNA damage protection potential of Capparis spinosa L. seed extract and to investigate the effect of the extract on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in an Alzheimer disease mice model. Materials and methods:Thirty BALB/c mice divided into 5 groups (control, D-galactose, D-galactose + C. spinosa 50, D-galactose + C. spinosa 100, D-galactose + C. spinosa 200) were used. Mice were administered an injection of D-galactose (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and orally administered C. spinosa (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) daily for 8 weeks.Results: Syringic acid was detected and the total amount was 204.629 µg/g. Addition of 0.05 mg/mL C. spinosa extract provided significant protection against the damage of DNA bands. C. spinosa attenuated D-galactose-induced learning dysfunctions in mice and significantly increased memory retention. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities decreased in the D-...

Edible halophytes of the Mediterranean basin: Potential candidates for novel food products

“…The anti-inflammatory activity of caper was also detected in animal studies, where leaf extracts were able to reduce edema in treated mice in a dose-dependent manner, as also a significant decrease in immune cells infiltration, vasodilatation and in dermis thickness (Azhary et al, 2017). Furthermore, leaf extracts of the same study inhibited the cytokine gene expression, namely IFNγ, IL-17 and IL-4 (Turgut et al, 2015). More interestingly, this plant also conferred a significant protection against DNA bands damage and on cognitive impairment induced by D-galactose in mice via inhibition of oxidative stress (Anwar, Muhammad, Hussain, Zengin, & Alkharfy, 2016), leading to an increase of memory retention and attenuating D-galactose-induced learning dysfunctions in mice.…”

Pharmacological Effects of Capparis spinosa L.

“…In this regard, flavonoids have been proven to act as radical scavengers, thus reducing oxidative stress and brain tissue damage (Dragicevic et al ., ). In an in vivo study conducted on Balb/c mice administered with D‐galactose, the effects of caper seed extract on cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in Alzheimer disease models were evaluated (Turgut et al ., ). An administration of caper extract was found to provide significant protection against DNA damage, decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities.…”

“…This study demonstrated that C . spinosa extract significantly improves cognitive impairment induced by D‐galactose injection in mice in a dose‐dependent manner (Turgut et al ., ). This effect is likely achieved through attenuating oxidative stress as demonstrated by increasing activities of SOD, GPx and CAT enzymes and decreasing levels of MDA.…”

The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Huntington’s Disease: A Mini Review

“…Gong et al [51] suggested the lotus seed pod Proanthocyanidins was a promising candidate for the treatment of AD as it exhibited a significant protective effect against cognitive impairment and brain aging induced by D-galactose. Turgut et al [52] proposed oxidative stress reduction as a major mechanism for the neuroprotective effect of Capparis spinosa L. in D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment. Yu et al [53] demonstrated the neuroprotective role of rutin against amylin-induced neurocytotoxicity in neuronal cells and concluded that the antioxidant property of rutin might have played a role in the protection of neuronal cells.…”