ABSTRACT
Background: Possible mechanisms of Alzheimer Disease [AD] such as inflammation and oxidative stresses in the brain led us to investigate potential AD therapeutics of Melilotus officinalis, an herbal extract, with possible role as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent. Among different genes which had important role in Sporadic AD [SAD], three genes including DAXX, NFkB and VEGF have shown significant statistical diversity in the brains of Alzheimer patients
Methods: These genes were chosen to be investigated for neuroprotective effects of the extract by comparing the expression level in the hippocampus of Sporadic AD [SAD] rat model using quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] in the treated and untreated groups. In addition, therapeutic effects at the behavioral, learning and memory level by Morris Water Maze [MWM] test were investigated
Results: The results represented significant decreased expression in Daxx, Nfkb and Vegf genes in the SAD rat's model treated with the herbal extract compared to the Streptozotocin-induced [STZ-induced] rats. Furthermore, no significant changes were seen in swimming distance and time for finding the hidden platform in the herbal-treated compared to the STZ-induced group. In memory level, no significant changes were observed among treated and untreated groups
Conclusion: It seems that the herbal extract may have significant effect on Alzheimer-related gene expression changes but not on clinical levels
ABSTRACT
The essential amino acid L-tryptophan [Trp] has importance as a pharmaceutical agent, especially in neuro-medicine. It is also added to feed products as a food fortifier. Furthermore, application of Trp is widespread in biotechnology. Trp is produced by a condensation reaction between indole and Lserine, which is catalyzed by bacterial tryptophan's activity. In this study, we have investigated Trp production using microbial system in the presence and absence of its precursors and Iranian cane molasses. The results showed that the optimum concentration of the molasses for maximum bacterial growth is 10 g/lit. Furthermore, in order to assay the amount of tryptophan produced, thin layer chromatography was used. The results showed that Iranian cane molasses contains considerable amounts of serine and indole, enough for Trp production [0.48 mM] in culture medium. But additional indole has inhibitory effects on Trp production. The data are compatible with previous reports on inhibitory effect of indole not only on cell growth but also on tryptophan's formation and function