ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with deficiency in motor coordination, cognitive impairment, and excessive reactive oxygen species production in the brain. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated effects of taurine and camel milk (CM) on neurobehavior, amyloid-beta peptide 1-42 (Aß) expression, acetylcholinesterase, and superoxide dismutase activities in aluminum chloride (AlCl3) model of Alzheimer's disease in rats. METHODS: Thirty-five female Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (nâ=â5): Normal saline (0.2âmL/kg body weight); AlCl3 (100âmg/kg) (AD); CM (33âmL/kg); Taurine (50âmg/kg); AlCl3 (100âmg/kg) + CM (33âmL/kg); AlCl3 (100âmg/kg) + Taurine (50âmg/kg); and AlCl3 (100âmg/kg) + CM (33âmL/kg) + Taurine (50âmg/kg). The administration lasted for eight weeks via oral gavage. After the eighth week, neurobehavior assessments were performed. Rats were sacrificed, and brain and blood samples collected for analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant (pâ<â0.0001) increase in the duration of motor endurance in AD + CM rats, compared to AD rats. Duration of forced swimming time was lowest (pâ<â0.0001) in AlCl3 + Taurine rats, compared to that of AD rats. Concentration of Aß peptide decreased (pâ<â0.05) in AD rats, treated with CM and/or combination. In taurine-treated rats, superoxide dismutase activity was significantly (pâ<â0.05) higher than in AD rats. Treatment with taurine + CM increased (pâ<â0.05) acetylcholinesterase activity compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Taurine and CM enhanced cognition and sensorimotor activity by decreasing Aß peptide concentration and increasing superoxide dismutase and acetylcholinesterase activities in AD rats.