Effect of the Ethanolic Extract of Olibanum on the Expression of CaMKIIα Gene in B65 and PC12 Cells

In the past, olibanum was used as an incense and perfume and a remedy for treating various diseases. Now, it is confirmed that olibanum improves memory and has a role in treatment and prevention of Alzheimer disease. CaMKIIα gene is known as molecular memory because of its role in cellular processes associated with memory. The aim of this research was to study the effect of ethanolic extract of olibanum on the expression of CaMKIIα in B65 and PC12 cells. To determine the effect of olibanum on cell viability, MTT assay was done and cells were treated with the extract in different concentrations and times. To study the gene expression, the cells were treated by two concentrations of the extract at four time points. Then, RNA was extracted, cDNA was synthesized, and the expression of CaMKIIα was quantified by qPCR. The qPCR data revealed that olibanum alternately changed the expression of CaMKIIα in a reducing and increasing pattern over time in B65 cells. However, the extract could not induce the expression of this gene in PC12 cells. According to the role of CaMKIIα as molecular memory and the positive effect of olibanum in memory improvement, current results could be helpful in understanding the molecular mechanisms by which olibanum affects memory performance.