Volume 37, Issue 7 pp. 2811-2826
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Thymol in Trachyspermum ammi seed extract exhibits neuroprotection, learning, and memory enhancement in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Binod Timalsina

Binod Timalsina

Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea

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Md Nazmul Haque

Md Nazmul Haque

Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea

Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

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Ho Jin Choi

Ho Jin Choi

Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea

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Raju Dash

Raju Dash

Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea

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Il Soo Moon

Corresponding Author

Il Soo Moon

Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea

Correspondence

Il Soo Moon, Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Korea.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 20 February 2023
Citations: 1

Abstract

Several reports have stated the neuroprotective and learning/memory effects of Tachyspermum ammi seed extract (TASE) and its principal component thymol; however, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms and neurogenesis potential. This study aimed to provide insights into TASE and a thymol-mediated multifactorial therapeutic approach in a scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. TASE and thymol supplementation significantly reduced oxidative stress markers such as brain glutathione, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde in mouse whole brain homogenates. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly downregulated, whereas the elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (serine 9) enhanced learning and memory in the TASE- and thymol-treated groups. A significant reduction in the accumulation of Aβ 1–42 peptides was observed in the brains of TASE- and thymol-treated mice. Furthermore, TASE and thymol significantly promoted adult neurogenesis, with increased doublecortin positive neurons in the subgranular and polymorphic zones of the dentate gyrus in treated-mice. Collectively, TASE and thymol could  potentially act as natural therapeutic agents for the treatment of  neurodegenerative disorders, such as  AD.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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