Avicenna J Med Biotech arij002 Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology 2008-2835 2008-4625 Avicenna Research Institute ajmb244 Neuroprotective Effects of Herbal Extract (Rosa canina, Tanacetum vulgare and Urtica dioica) on Rat Model of Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease DaneshmandParvanehDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit MI, United States of AmericaSaliminejadKioomarsDepartment of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDehghan ShasaltanehMarziehPediatric Surgery, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, United States of AmericaKamaliKooroshReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, IranRiaziGholam HosseinDivision of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, United States of America NazariRezaReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Tehran, IranAzimzadehPedramDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranKhorram KhorshidHamid RezaMolecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran 8 3 120 125 15 12 2015 3 2 2016

<p>Background: Sporadic Alzheimer&rsquo;s Disease (SAD) is caused by genetic risk factors, aging and oxidative stresses. The herbal extract of <em>Rosa canina (R. canina)</em>, <em>Tanacetum vulgare (T. vulgare)</em> and <em>Urtica dioica (U. dioica)</em> has a beneficial role in aging, as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agent. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of this herbal extract in the rat model of SAD was investigated.<br /> Methods: The rats were divided into control, sham, model, herbal extract -treated and ethanol-treated groups. Drug interventions were started on the 21<sup>st</sup> day after modeling and each treatment group was given the drugs by intraperitoneal (I.P.) route for 21 days. The expression levels of the five important genes for pathogenesis of SAD including <em>Syp, Psen1, Mapk3, Map2</em> and <em>Tnf-&alpha;</em> were measured by qPCR between the hippocampi of SAD model which were treated by this herbal extract and control groups. The Morris Water Maze was adapted to test spatial learning and memory ability of the rats.<br /> Results: Treatment of the rat model of SAD with herbal extract induced a significant change in expression of <em>Syp</em> (p=0.001) and <em>Psen1</em> (p=0.029). In Morris Water Maze, significant changes in spatial learning seen in the rat model group were improved in herbal-treated group.<br /> Conclusion: This herbal extract could have anti-dementia properties and improve spatial learning and memory in SAD rat model.</p>