Possible Therapeutic Role of Jasonia Candicans and Jasonia Montana Extracts in the Regression of Alzheimer’s Disease in Experimental Model

The present article aimed to investigate the potential role of the ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts of Jasonia candicans and Jasonia montana in management of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in experimental model. Supplementation of drinking water AlCl₃ (0.3%) for 16 weeks induced AD in male rats with siginifcant increase in brain Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β) and 8 hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. AlCl3 supplementation produced significant decrease in Brain insulin Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) and Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels as compared to the control values. Also, AlCl₃ supplementation caused significant decline in the expression levels of nucleoporin P⁶² (P⁶²) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM 17) genes accompanied with significant elevation in the expression levels of brain cyclooxygenase (Cox-2) gene. Brain histopathological examination of AD-induced rats showed formation of amyloid plaques in hippocampus and cerebrum. Oral administration of each of selected extract (150 mg/kg b.wt) in AD-induced rats daily for 6 weeks resulted in significant decrease in brain AchE activity, TNF-α, TGF-β and 8-OHdG levels. The treatment produced significant increase in brain IGF-1 and BDNF levels as compared to AD-induced rats. The treatment with these extracts could significantly increase the gene expression levels of brain P⁶² and ADAM17 accompanied with significant decrease in the expression levels of Cox-2 gene in the brain. Histopathological examination of brain tissue of the treated rats showed marked improvement in the morphological structure of the brain especially in the hippocampus and cerebrum areas. High content of terpenes, sesquiterpenes and flavonoids in the ethanolic extract of the selected plants may responsible for the anticholinesterase activity, anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant capacity and neurotrophic effect as well as anti-amyloidogenic potential of these extracts. These results suggest that these extracts may effectively ameliorate the inflammation and neurodegeneration characterizing AD. Thus, these extracts may have a therapeutic application in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.