Introduction and Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that represents the highest form of dementia. The hippocampus is one of the earliest areas affected in AD. Currently, there is no definitive cure for AD. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of rivastigmine and coconut oil (CO), alone or together, on aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD model in the hippocampus of adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty three rats were divided into group I (control) and group II (experimental, subdivided into IIa, IIb, IIc, IId and IIe subgroups). AD was induced in group II by AlCl3 for 45 days. Subgroup IIa was sacrificed at the 45th day, subgroup IIb was left without treatment for 30 days and subgroup IIc received rivastigmine for 30 days. Subgroup IId administered CO simultaneously with AlCl3 then CO treatment continued for 30 days. Subgroup IIe administered CO simultaneously with AlCl3 then CO treatment continued simultaneously with rivastigmine for 30 days. Y-maze memory test was performed and serum acetylcholinesterase (Ach-E) level was measured. After sacrifice, Ach-E and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in brain homogenates. Brain sections at the hippocampus level were processed for H&E and immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and amyloid beta (Aβ) 1-42.
Results: Neurodegenerative changes were decreased in subgroups IIc and IId while the most improved histological picture was displayed by IIe. GFAP mean area % and Aβ 1-42 optical density and mean area % decreased in subgroups IIc and IId while the least values were recorded in IIe. Ach-E, GSH and memory test results were ameliorated in subgroups IIc and IId while the best improvement was noticed in IIe.
Conclusion: CO had a prophylactic role against AD. Combination of rivastigmine and CO exerted a great synergistic effect compared to rivastigmine or CO alone.