Prunus domestica L. extract diminishes deteriorations of memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in D-gal-induced aging in a rat model

Title : Prunus domestica L. extract diminishes deteriorations of memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in D-gal-induced aging in a rat model

Abstract:

Memory loss is the most common symptom found in aging. Studies of brain aging have revealed upregulation of the reactive oxygen species levels, which induce oxidative stress, neuronal damage, and neuronal apoptosis linked to memory decline. In animal studies, Dgalactose (D-gal) causes down-regulation of hippocampal neurogenesis resulting in memory deficits. Prunus domestica L. (PD) or look-nai is a fruit that contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which have a beneficial effect on memory and neurogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of PD extract on memory deficits in aging rats induced by D-gal. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups: Vehicle, D-gal, PD 75, PD 100, PD 150, Dgal + PD 75, D-gal + PD 100, and D-gal + PD 150. D-gal (50 mg/kg) was given by intraperitoneal injection and PD (75, 100 and 150 mg/kg) was orally administered once a day for 8 weeks. Memory was determined using the novel object location (NOL) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Then, hippocampal neurogenesis was determined using Ki67-RECA1, DCX, and BrdU/NeuN immunofluorescence staining to evaluate vascular associated cell proliferation, immature neurons, and neuronal cell survival, respectively. The results showed a decline in recognition and spatial memories and hippocampal neurogenesis in the D-gal group. However, the co-treatment with PD and D-gal could ameliorate these deteriorations. PD per se could also improve memory. Therefore, PD extract could diminish D-gal-induced deteriorations of memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in aging rats.

Audience Take Away

• Phytochemical agents found in the Prunus domestica L. extract have the potential to encounter memory deficits induced by D-galactose in aging rats
• Prunus domestica L. extract ameliorates memory impairments through upregulating hippocampal neurogenesis in aging rats induced by D-galactose
• The data from this study will be beneficial to use in Thai traditional medicine

Biography:

Dr Jariya Umka Welbatstudied Anatomy at Khon Kaen University, Thailand and graduated as MSc in 1995. She then worked as a lecturer the at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon kaen, Thailand. She received her PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience) in 2010 at the University of Nottingham supervised by Associate Professor Dr Peter Wigmore. After receiving PhD, she returned to Khon Kaen University and obtained the position of an Associate Professor. Her research of interests focuses on the investigation of neuroprotective effects of bioactive compounds on neurogenesis related to memory in animal models.