Neuroprotective Effects of 1,8-Cineole on Apoptosis Inhibition and Bcl-2/Caspase-3 mRNA Expression in the Hippocampus of Epileptic Pilocarpine Model Rats

 The neuroprotective potential of 1,8-Cineole (CIN) has recently been documented in vitro. Here we studied potential beneficial therapeutic effects of CIN, using the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) pilocarpine rat model through up-regulation of Bcl-2, as an anti-apoptotic gene.

A total of 32 (n=8 per group) male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as follows:  i) normal rats (received CIN (50 mg/kg)). ii) Non-treated epileptic rats. iii) Vehicle epileptic rats treated with 10% Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20). iv) TLE-treated rats with CIN once daily (50 mg/kg), three days after the first seizure and up to 28 days, four days a week (treatment group).
For the analysis, based on the Racine scale, the score of 4 and 5 was chosen. Rats were sacrificed and primed 28 days after the first seizure for both histopathological and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis.

 The findings showed that CIN prevents cell death caused by Pilocarpine, via regulatory effect on apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression. QRT-PCR results showed a significant increment in the Bcl-2 expression, and a decrease in Caspas-3 gene in the epileptic group treated with CIN. Also, amount of total antioxidant capacity was higher in CIN treated group. Histological study of the brain regions revealed a significant decrease in the apoptotic and necrotic hippocampal cells in the treatment groups.

 Collectively, the present study showed CIN significantly induced neuroprotection effects for brain damage. It seems CIN can be a promising method for improving the effectiveness of therapy.