Neuroprotective Effect of Nano Emulsion Containing Salvia on CA1 Region of Hippocampus Following Transient Global Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rat

Background: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the major causes of mortality. I/R injury leads to apoptosis in the brain, especially in the hippocampus and induces cognitive impairments. On the other hand, Salvia officinalis L. is perennial, evergreen subshrub that is widely used in traditional medicine. The antiapoptosis and antioxidant effects of Salvia officinalis L. have also been reported. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Salvia officinalis L. on the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and percentage of viable neurons in the CA1 hippocampal region of rats following transient global I/R. Methods: The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspase 3 was evaluated using Real time PCR. Nissl staining was used to measure the number of viable neurons. The percentage of cell viability was also evaluated using MTT assay and flow cytometry. Salvia officinalis L. was injected intraperitoneal at the doses of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg at both aqueous-alcoholic and aqueous extracts. Results: The expression of Bax and Caspase 3 was increased and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased following transient global I/R in the CA1 region. The injection of Salvia officinalis L. at most doses reversed the effect of transient global I/R on genes expression. The number of viable neurons in the CA1 region was also decreased following transient global I/R and injection of Salvia officinalis L. at all doses reversed this effect. Conclusion: Transient global I/R significantly promotes apoptosis and cell death, and Salvia officinalis L. may induce neuroprotective and anti-apoptosis effects.