Avicenna J Med Biotech arij002 Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology 2008-2835 2008-4625 Avicenna Research Institute ajmb280 The Effects of <i>Melilotus officinalis</i> Extract on Expression of <i>Daxx</i>, <i>Nfkb</i> and <i>Vegf</i> Genes in the Streptozotocin-Induced Rat Model of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease BazazzadeganNiloofarMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, IranDehghan ShasaltanehMarziehPediatric Surgery, Wayne State University , Detroit, MI, United States of AmericaSaliminejadKioomarsDepartment of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranKamaliKooroshReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, IranBananMehdiNational Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Shahrak-e Pajoohesh, Tehran, IranKhorram KhorshidHamid RezaMolecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran 9 3 133 137 20 8 2016 22 10 2016

<p>Background: Possible mechanisms of Alzheimer Disease (AD) such as inflammation and oxidative stresses in the brain led us to investigate potential AD therapeutics of <em>Melilotus officinalis</em>, 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<em> DAXX</em>, <em>NFkB</em> and <em>VEGF</em> have shown significant statistical diversity in the brains of Alzheimer patients.<br /> 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.<br /> Results: The results represented significant decreased expression in <em>Daxx</em>, <em>Nfkb</em> and <em>Vegf</em> genes in the SAD rat&rsquo;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.<br /> Conclusion: It seems that the herbal extract may have significant effect on Alzheimer-related gene expression changes but not on clinical levels.</p>