Comparing the Effects of Rivastigmin and Aqueous Extract of Olibanum on Gene Expression of Amyloid Precursor Protein in Rats Treated with Aluminum Chloride

Laboratory Studies show that Olibanum boosts the process of learning and memory. Alzheimer’ disease is one of the important cognitive abnormalities which affect memory. Moreover, increased expression of amyloid precursor protein (App) results in Alzheimer’ disease. This study with the aim of comparing the effects of Olibanum aqueous extract and rivastigmin on the expression of App gene in rats that are treated by AlCl3. 24 adult male rats with a weight range of 220±30 gr. were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6) and treated for 120 days. Treating group are as follow: Group no. 1 as control, group no. 2 as Alzheimer's model, group no. 3 as Olibanum treated, group 4 as rivastegmin teated were received 1 ml of distilled water, AlCl3 20mg/kg, AlCl3 (20 mg/kg) for 60 days and then AlCl3 with the same dose plus aqueous extract of Olibanum (200 mg/kg) for another 60 days and, AlCl3 (20 mg/kg) for 60 days and then AlCl3 with the same dose plus rivastigmin (0.3 mg/kg) for another 60 days, respectively. Then, learning and spatial memory performance of the rats were examined in 6 successive days with Morris-Water-Maze. After behavioral tests, hippocampus of the rats was separated and isolated in –80 degree centigrade. Total RNA was extracted by using RNX-plus solution. Finally, the expression of App gene was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results obtained from Morris-Water-Maze showed that AlCl3 impairs memory performance in rats while treatments with rivastigmin or aqueous extract of Olibanum improves learning in rats model. The App gene expression analysis revealed that this gene unregulate significantly by utilizing AlCl3. Comparing the effects of rivastigmin and aqueous extract of Olibanum showed that Olibanum but not rivastigmin decreases the expression of App. AlCl3 treatment can impair learning and spatial memory in rats while Olibanum or rivastigmin might improve their performance. Moreover, Olibanum impedes AlCl3-induced App up-regulation.