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

Background Objective: 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. Materials Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.