Effects of thymoquinone on scopolamine-induced spatial and echoic memory changes through regulation of lipid peroxidation and cholinergic impairment

Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction Ameliorates the Aluminium Chloride-Induced Neurovascular Dysfunction-Associated Vascular Dementia in Rats

Neurovascular dysfunction leads to the second most common type of dementia, i.e., vascular dementia (VaD). Toxic metals, such as aluminium, increase the risk of neurovascular dysfunction-associated VaD. Hence, we hypothesized that a natural antioxidant derived from palm oil, i.e., tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF), can attenuate the aluminium chloride (AlCl₃)-induced VaD in rats. Rats were induced with AlCl₃ (150 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for seven days followed by TRF treatment for twenty-one days. The elevated plus maze test was performed for memory assessment. Serum nitrite and plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured as biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction and small vessel disease determination. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) was determined as brain oxidative stress marker. Platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) expression in the hippocampus was identified using immunohistochemistry for detecting the neovascularisation process. AlCl₃ showed a significant decrease in memory and serum nitrite levels, while MPO and TBARS levels were increased; moreover, PDGF-C was not expressed in the hippocampus. However, TRF treatment significantly improved memory, increased serum nitrite, decreased MPO and TBARS, and expressed PDGF-C in hippocampus. Thus, the results imply that TRF reduces brain oxidative stress, improves endothelial function, facilitates hippocampus PDGF-C expression for neovascularisation process, protects neurons, and improves memory in neurovascular dysfunction-associated VaD rats.

Antioxidant Thymoquinone and Its Potential in the Treatment of Neurological Diseases

Oxidative stress is one of the main pathogenic factors of neuron damage in neurodegenerative processes; this makes it an important therapeutic target to which the action of neuroprotectors should be directed. One of these drugs is thymoquinone. According to modern data, this substance has a wide range of pharmacological activity, including neuroprotective, which was demonstrated in experimental modeling of various neurodegenerative diseases and pathological conditions of the brain. The neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone is largely due to its antioxidant ability. Currently available data show that thymoquinone is an effective means to reduce the negative consequences of acute and chronic forms of cerebral pathology, leading to the normalization of the content of antioxidant enzymes and preventing an increase in the level of lipid peroxidation products. Antioxidant properties make this substance a promising basis for the development of prototypes of therapeutic agents aimed at the treatment of a number of degenerative diseases of the central nervous system.

From kitchen to clinic: Pharmacotherapeutic potential of common spices in Indian cooking in age-related neurological disorders

Aging is described as an advanced time-related collection of changes that may negatively affect with the risk of several diseases or death. Aging is a main factor of several age-related neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia), stroke, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, brain tumors, oxidative stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Currently available medications for age-related neurological disorders may lead to several side effects, such as headache, diarrhea, nausea, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, dyskinesia, and hallucinosis. These days, studies on plant efficacy in traditional medicine are being conducted because herbal medicine is affordable, safe, and culturally acceptable and easily accessible. The Indian traditional medicine system called Ayurveda uses several herbs and medicinal plants to treat various disorders including neurological disorders. This review aims to summarize the data on the neuroprotective potential of the following common Indian spices widely used in Ayurveda: cumin (Cuminum cyminum (L.), Apiaceae), black cumin (Nigella sativa (L.), Ranunculaceae), black pepper (Piper nigrum (L.), Piperaceae), curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii (L.), Spreng Rutaceae), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum (L.), Fabaceae), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Apiaceae), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, Zingiberaceae), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry, Myrtaceae), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum (L.), Apiaceae) in age-related neurological disorders.