Neuroprotective activity of Sweet chestnut «Castanea sativa Mill.» honey on Alzheimer disease –In vivo study-

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia refers to a particular onset and course of cognitive and functional decline associated with age. It causes the death of nerve cells and loss of tissues throughout the brain, which results in memory loss. Nowadays, only symptomatic treatments exist for this disease to block the progression of the disease but their side effects are frequently disappointing. For that, many heads for alternative therapies, such as Api-therapy. This study aimed to analyze whether a long-intake of Sweet Chestnut “Castanea sativa Mill” honey, can counteract the neurodegeneration occurring in Alzheimer model mice. The experimental protocol is divided into two phases; the first phase represents the treatment for 45 days consisting of daily administration by gastric gavage of two doses of sweet chestnut honey solution at 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg. Followed by the induction of Alzheimer's disease by oral administration of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) at 100mg/kg combined with D-galactose at 120mg/kg intraperitoneally for the second 45 days. The results followed by the neurological test and the histological study showed that the Alzheimer model mice showed significant depression and anxiety-like behaviours, and cognitive decline. The histological analysis of the brain, liver, and renal tissue sections indicated significant histopathological alterations. The neurological tests and histological changes caused by "AlCl3 combined with D-galactose" previously reported were improved by Sweet chestnut honey, in which, positive results were observed concerning anxiety and depression activity in Alzheimer's mice treated with the sweet chestnut honey solution at 150mg/kg (Alz-D1) and 300mg/kg (Alz-D2). While compared to Alzheimer model mice, the memory tests results indicate that Alzheimer's mice treated with Sweet chestnut honey solution at 300mg/kg (Alz-D2) had a remarkable recovery of memory and an improvement in learning ability. As for the histological study, Both doses showed positive results, however, the dose at 300mg/kg (Alz-D2) results were much better than 150mg/kg (Alz-D1). These results suggest that Sweet Chestnut “Castanea sativa Mill” Honey daily intake at respected doses can reduce the burden of neurological illnesses such as "Alzheimer's disease", which have been increasingly prevalent worldwide in recent decades.