Ocimum sanctum Linn. Extract Improves Cognitive Deficits in Olfactory Bulbectomized Mice via the Enhancement of Central Cholinergic Systems and VEGF Expression

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the antidementia effects of ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (OS) and its underlying mechanisms using olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice. OBX mice were treated daily with OS or a reference drug, donepezil (DNP). Spatial and nonspatial working memory performance was measured using a modified Y maze test and a novel object recognition test, respectively. Brain tissues of the animals were subjected to histochemical and neurochemical analysis. OS treatment attenuated OBX-induced impairment of spatial and nonspatial working memories. OBX induced degeneration of septal cholinergic neurons, enlargement of the lateral ventricles, and suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis. OS and DNP treatment also depressed these histological damages. OS administration reduced ex vivo activity of acetylcholinesterase in the brain. OBX diminished the expression levels of genes coding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor type 2 (VEGFR2). Treatment with OS and DNP reversed OBX-induced decrease in VEGF gene and protein expression levels without affecting the expression of the VEGFR2 gene. These results demonstrate that the administration of OS can lessen the cognitive deficits and neurohistological damages of OBX and that these actions are, at least in part, mediated by the enhancement of central cholinergic systems and VEGF expression.

Therapeutic effects of a standardized-flavonoid Diospyros kaki L.f. leaf extract on transient focal cerebral ischemia-induced brain injury in mice

“…Twelve days after MCAO-and-reperfusion, mice were subjected to the modi ed Y-maze test. The test was conducted according to previous reports [14,15]. Brie y, the Y-maze apparatus was executed in an apparatus composed of 3 arms labelled as A, B, and C (Fig.…”

“…According to our previous reports [14,15], western blotting was performed to analyse the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Akt 1/2/3, p-Akt 1/2/3, and cleaved caspase-3 in the cortices of the animals. The cortex tissue was homogenized in a protein lysis buffer and centrifuged at 15000 rpm for 15 min at 4°C to collect supernatant samples.…”

Formulation and Evaluation of Quality Parameters of Effervescent Granules from the Potent Antioxidant between Two Variants of the Adaptogenic Herb Ocimum tenuiflorum L.

“…O. tenuiforum L. can also provide luster to the complexion and sweetness to the voice and foster beauty, intelligence, stamina, and a calm emotional disposition [8][9][10][11]. O. tenuiforum L. has long been consumed as tea herbs/a cuisine material in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries [5]. Te best known active compounds that have been identifed and extracted from O. tenuiforum L. are eugenol, the major component of essential oil, and ursolic acid [9].…”

“…Ocimum tenuiflorum L., also known as Ocimum sanctum L., is an aromatic plant (Family: Lamiaceae), widely distributed and cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian tropics [ 5 , 6 ]. O. tenuiflorum L. is regarded within Ayurveda as the preeminent herb and is known as “The Queen of Herbs” or “Elixir of Life” due to its medicinal and spiritual properties [ 7 ].…”

“…The best known active compounds that have been identified and extracted from O. tenuiflorum L. are eugenol, the major component of essential oil, and ursolic acid [ 9 ]. It has been reported that the leaves of this plant contain essential oils composed of limonene, borneol, copaene, caryophyllene, and elemol, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, orientin, and olludistin), triterpenoids (oleanolic and ursolic acid), polyphenols, and tannins [ 5 , 14 ].…”