Neuroprotective effect of Achillea millefolium aqueous extract against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by chronic morphine in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons

Abstract

Chronic opioid abuse can impair the hippocampal region of the brain. This study evaluates the neuroprotective effect of Achillea millefolium (Ach) on chronic morphine‑induced learning and memory impairment, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Thirty‑two male Wistar rat rats were classified into four treatment groups (n=8). Morphine sulfate was administered chronically. The treatment groups were given Ach aqueous extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg), orally, each day. After 28 days, the Morris water maze test was performed on all subjects. Caspase‑3, Bax, and Bcl‑2 proteins expression in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue was analyzed using the western blot method. Also, malondialdehyde concentration, glutathione peroxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated. The results indicated that Ach extract can improve spatial learning and memory defects in morphine‑treated rats. Ach administration also ameliorated apoptosis and oxidative stress indicator levels in hippocampal CA1 of morphine‑treated animals. Based on the present study, Ach improved spatial learning and memory defects, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampus CA1 region, in chronic morphine‑treated animals.

The effects of chronic morphine administration on spatial memory and microtubule dynamicity in male mice's brain

“…This paper demonstrated that the administration of morphine (5, 10 mg/kg) led to spatial memory impairment in mice, consistent with previous findings ( McNamara and Skelton, 1991 , Li et al, 2001 , Farahmandfar et al, 2010 , Khani et al, 2022 , Mozafari et al, 2022 ). Our data from the Y-maze test corroborated this notion, aligning with previous studies ( Castellano, 1975 , Ma et al, 2007 , Kitanaka et al, 2015 , Chen et al, 2018 ).…”

Comment on Villalva et al. Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antibacterial Properties of an Achillea millefolium L. Extract and Its Fractions Obtained by Supercritical Anti-Solvent Fractionation against Helicobacter pylori. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 1849

“…According to the conducted studies, Achillea millefolium L. is a biologically active plant that demonstrates multiple beneficial effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, diaphoretic, hepatoprotective, choleretic, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial and anticancer properties [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Achillea millefolium L. helps eliminate toxins from the body, controls bleeding, lowers blood pressure, relieves menstrual pain, and is used in the treatment of various diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Moreover, as indicated by Tilwani and coworkers, the yarrow-treated SARS-nCoV-2 cell exhibits the disintegration of the virus membrane [ 24 ].…”