Aqueous extract of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) improves the spatial performance of a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative disorders. It is characterized by dementia including defi cits in learning and memory. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) on spatial performance of AD rats. Methods Male Wistar rats were fi rst divided into control and AD groups. Rat model of AD was established by intracerebroventricular injection of 10 g A1-42 20 d prior to administration of the lavender extract. Rats in both groups were then introduced to 2 stages of task learning (with an interval of 20 d) in Morris water maze, each followed by one probe test. After the fi rst stage of spatial learning, control and AD animals received different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of the lavender extract. Results In the fi rst stage of experiment, the latency to locate the hidden platform in AD group was signifi cantly higher than that in control group. However, in the second stage of experiment, control and AD rats that received distilled water (vehicle) showed similar performance, indicating that the maze navigation itself could improve the spatial learning of AD animals. Besides, in the second stage of experiment, control and AD rats that received lavender extract administration at different doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/ kg) spent less time locating the platform (except for the AD rats with 50 mg/kg extract treatment), as compared with their counterparts with vehicle treatment, respectively. In addition, lavender extract signifi cantly improved the performance of control and AD rats in the probe test, only at the dose of 200 mg/kg, as compared with their counterparts with vehicle treatment. Conclusion The lavender extract can effectively reverse spatial learning defi cits in AD rats.

Clearance of Amyloid Beta Plaques from Brain of Alzheimeric Rats by Lavandula angustifolia

“…The present work demonstrated that aqueous extract of lavender effectively remove Aβ aggregates from the brain of an Alzheimeric model of rat. In our previous work we showed that the herbal medicine efficiently improved impaired spatial memory in the Alzheimeric animals [27]. Interestingly, both aspects of the extract action, including the Aβ clearance as well as the spatial memory improvement, occur in the same dose.…”

“…These features can be important to treat dementia disorder such as AD. In our previous work we demonstrated that aqueous extract of lavender considerably influences the cognitive function of an Alzheimeric model of rats [27]. The present study aimed to evaluate if the positive effect of lavender treatment underlie clearance of beta amyloid plaques.…”

“…Five groups of rats (n = 9 in each group) were introduced to behavioral experiments (for a spatial memory task) prior to histological assessments [27]. The animals were divided into control (CON) and Alzheimer disease (AD) groups.…”

“…It grows to approximately 0.9 m high with leaves evergreen. Fresh flower tops of lavender are used for extract preparation [27,28]. The main compositions of lavender are linalool and linalyle acetate [29,30].…”

Resveratrol: A miraculous natural compound for diseases treatment

“…Aβ accumulation leads to a characteristic of AD, that is, progressive loss of neurons and neurological decline (Roberson & Mucke, 2006). Numerous studies yet have been underway to discover the potential improving effects of plant extracts in AD under in vivo conditions (Kashani, Tavirani, Talaei, & Salami, 2011; ; Soheili, Tavirani, & Salami, 2015). Studies have shown that resveratrol as a natural supplement was involved in various pathophysiologic cycles of AD (Baur & Sinclair, 2006).…”