ABSTRACT
Objective:
Dementia is a common
aging-related
neurodegenerative disease in the
elderly worldwide. Alterations in
neurogenesis and
angiogenesis factors have been linked to
cognitive impairment in
neurological disorders. However,
synthetic drugs to improve
memory disorders have uncomfortable side effects. The purpose of this study is to explore the neuroprotective potential of the
fruit ethanol extract of andaliman (
Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) [Andaliman
fruit ethanol extract (AEE)] on
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF),
vascular endothelial growth factor (
VEGF), and
spatial memory in
rat models of
aging. Materials and
Methods:
This study had an
experimental design with AEE. The 4 groups were treated as follows N (normal), M (served as positive control), P1 (AEE 150 mg/kg bw), and P2 (AEE 300 mg/kg BW) for 8 weeks.
Aged model
rats (M, P1, and P2) were obtained by inducing
D-galactose (150 mg/kg bw).
BDNF and
VEGF expression were determined by RT-PCR, and
spatial memory was assessed using the test of the Moris
Water Maze (MWM). The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to assess the
statistical analysis.
Results:
AEE had a tendency to increase
BDNF in P2 compared to the normal group (1.98 versus 1).
VEGF expression increased in P1 and P2 compared to the normal group (1.14 and 1.29 versus 1). AEE at a
dose of 300 mg/kg bw significantly improved
spatial memory (p = 0.026).
Conclusion:
For eight weeks, AEE at a
dose of 300 mg/kg bw considerably increased the potential to enhance
VEGF and
BDNF expression as well as
spatial memory.
