¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
²Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
³Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
⁴Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
⁵Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fenerbahce University, Istanbul, Turkey DOI : 10.29228/jrp.242 This study investigated the possible protective and therapeutic effects of Myrtus communis subsp. communis ethanol extract (MC) in aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and D-galactose (D-Gal) induced Alzheimer's disease in rats. MC was orally given to rats as a protective treatment for 90 days and, in other two groups starting from the 60th day MC (100-200 mg/kg) was administered, concomitantly with AlCl3 and D-Gal. Learning and memory functions were evaluated by the behavioral tests. Biological activities of MC treatment were examined in hippocampal tissues by ELISA tests. D-Gal and AlCl₃-treated rats showed increased amyloid beta (Aβ) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) levels, acetylcholinesterase activity and decreased neprilysin, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels in parallel with a decrease in Novel Object Recognition Test, Morris Water Maze and Passive Avoidance Test scores. On the other hand, MC administration reversed the behavioral impairments and improved learning and memory. Moreover, MC treatment decreased Aβ and 8-OHdG levels and acetylcholinesterase activity and increased neprilysin levels, Na+-K+ATPase and SOD levels. Our results suggest that MC has beneficial effects on cognitive and neuronal functions through its anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties. Keywords : Myrtle; antioxidant activity; anticholinesterase activity; cognitive impairment