Neuroprotective Effects of ۱,۸-Cineole on Apoptosis Inhibition and Bcl-۲/Caspase-۳ mRNA Expression in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Pilocarpine Model Rats

Original Articles - Medical Biology (Article Number: e۴۱۵) Background and Objective: The neuroprotective potential of ۱,۸-Cineole (CIN) has recently been documented in vitro. Here we studied potential beneficial therapeutic effects of CIN, using the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) pilocarpine rat model through up-regulation of Bcl-۲, as an anti-apoptotic gene. Materials and Methods: A total of ۳۲ (n=۸ per group) male Wistar rats were divided into ۴ groups as follows:  i) normal rats (received CIN (۵۰ mg/kg)). ii) Non-treated epileptic rats. iii) Vehicle epileptic rats treated with ۱۰% Polysorbate ۲۰ (Tween ۲۰). iv) TLE-treated rats with CIN once daily (۵۰ mg/kg), three days after the first seizure and up to ۲۸ days, four days a week (treatment group). For the analysis, based on the Racine scale, the score of ۴ and ۵ was chosen. Rats were sacrificed and primed ۲۸ days after the first seizure for both histopathological and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Results: The findings showed that CIN prevents cell death caused by Pilocarpine, via regulatory effect on apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression. QRT-PCR results showed a significant increment in the Bcl-۲ expression, and a decrease in Caspas-۳ gene in the epileptic group treated with CIN. Also, amount of total antioxidant capacity was higher in CIN treated group. Histological study of the brain regions revealed a significant decrease in the apoptotic and necrotic hippocampal cells in the treatment groups. Conclusion: Collectively, the present study showed CIN significantly induced neuroprotection effects for brain damage. It seems CIN can be a promising method for improving the effectiveness of therapy.

Keywords:

۱ , ۸-cineole , Epilepsy , Pilocarpine , Bcl-۲ , Caspase-۳