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Methylphenidate and Rosmarinus officinalis improves cognition and regulates inflammation and synaptic gene expression in AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity mouse model

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Abstract

Methylphenidate (MPH), a psychotropic medication is commonly used for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study we elucidated the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of MPH and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, an ancient aromatic herb with several applications in traditional medicine. Briefly, six groups of mice (n = 8 each group), were specified for the study and behavioral analysis was performed to analyze spatial memory followed by histological assessment and gene expression analysis of synaptic (Syn I, II and III) and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNFα and GFAP) via qRT-PCR, in an AlCl3-induced mouse model for neurotoxicity. The behavioral analysis demonstrated significant cognitive decline, memory defects and altered gene expression in AlCl3-treated group. Rosemary extract significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory and synaptic markers to the similar levels as that of MPH. The present findings suggested the neuroprotective potential of Rosmarinus officinalis extract. However, further characterization of its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties and MPH is required to strategize future treatments for several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan and through research grant number 5974 awarded to Saadia Zahid under National Research Grants Program for Universities, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. The funding sources had no involvement in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

Funding

This work was supported by National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan and through research Grant Number 5974 awarded to Saadia Zahid under National Research Grants Program for Universities, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. The funding sources had no involvement in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

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  1. Anibah Khalid and Umme Aimen Abbasi have equal contribution.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Healthcare Biotechnology, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Anibah Khalid, Umme Aimen Abbasi, Sanila Amber,  Sumera, Fatima Javed Mirza, Aneela Javed & Saadia Zahid

  2. Department of Histopathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    Muhammad Asif

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  1. Anibah Khalid
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Contributions

SZ, substantial contribution to conception and design of the study, drafting and finalization of the manuscript; AJ, gene expression data analysis; SA and SK, mouse model development and animal behavior analysis; MA, histological assessment; FJM plant extract preparation; AK and UAA all experimental work, analysis and data interpretation.

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Correspondence to Saadia Zahid.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest and approved the publication of manuscript.

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The animal protocols were conducted in agreement with the rules of the Institute of Laboratory of Animal Research, Division on Earth and Life Sciences, National Institute of Health, USA (Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals). The ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Internal Review Board (IRB), Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).

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Khalid, A., Abbasi, U.A., Amber, S. et al. Methylphenidate and Rosmarinus officinalis improves cognition and regulates inflammation and synaptic gene expression in AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity mouse model. Mol Biol Rep 47, 7861–7870 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-05864-y

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