Alpha-pinene Inhibits Apoptosis of Hippocampus CA3 Cells Following Focal Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats
Alpha-pinene Inhibits Apoptosis of Hippocampus CA3 Cells Following Focal Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats
Seyedeh Mahdieh Khoshnazar,1Sohaila Erfani,2,*
1. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
Introduction: Cerebral ischemia causes loss of hippocampus pyramidal cells. Pinene (C10H16) is a bicyclic, double
bond, terpenoid hydrocarbon. alpha-pinene among the best-known representatives of a broad family of
monoterpenes and has anti-apoptosis properties. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects
of alpha-pinene in rats after global cerebral ischemia.
Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent a MCAO surgery for 1 hour. Saline as a vehicle and alpha-pinene at doses of
alpha-pinene (50, and 100 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected immediately after reperfusion. 24 h after
focal brain ischemia DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, in hippocampus CA3 area were detected using
TUNEL assay.
Results: The results showed that treatment with alpha-pinene significantly reduces apoptosis (P �.05) in
hippocampal CA3 area, compared to the ischemia group.
Conclusion: In conclusion, alpha-pinene treatment, found for
the first time in the present study, reduces hippocampus CA3 injuries after cerebral ischemia through
preventing neuronal apoptosis.