Clearance of Amyloid Beta Plaques from Brain of Alzheimeric Rats by Lavandula angustifolia

An important marker in neurodegenerative Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is abnormal production of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide leading to formation of plaques in the brain. Through decreasing Aβ aggregates, anti-inflammatory agents, phagocytosis, and proteolytic enzymes are known to decline risk of Aβ plaque formation. In the previous study we showed that aqueous extract of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender), with known anti-inflammatory effects, improves memory deficits in animal model of Alzheimer. Here, we assess if lavender play a role in clearance of Aβ plaques in the hippocampus. The Alzheimeric animals were created with intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ 1-42. To confirm formation of Aβ plaques, brain sections were stained by Congo red method. Twenty days post-injection they were administered with different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) of the aqueous extract of lavender for duration of 20 days. Our results demonstrated that 50 mg/kg of lavender not effectively influenced the Aβ plaques. On the other hand, the herbal medicine at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg markedly decreased the extent of Aβ aggregates. We concluded that the lavender extract dose dependently underlies elimination of Aβ plaques. The exact mechanism by which the herbal medicine removes the Aβ aggregates needs to be elucidated.