The effect of crocin on memory, hippocampal acetylcholine level, and apoptosis in a rat model of cerebral ischemia.

Although the memory- improving effect of crocin has been suggested by previous evidences, the association between this effect and hippocampal acetylcholine (Ach) level and apoptosis is not well investigated. This study aimed to determine the protective effects of crocin on memory, hippocampal Ach level, and apoptosis in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Male Wistar rats were divided into sham group received saline, and other 3 groups underwent 4-vessel occlusion brain ischemia (4VOI), received oral administration of either saline or crocin in doses of 30 mg/day and 60 mg/day for 7 days. Outcomes were memory, determined by radial eight-arm maze (RAM) task and Morris water maze (MWM) test, Ach release in the dorsal hippocampus (evaluated by microdialysis-HPLC) and apoptosis (investigated by TUNEL assay). 4VOI impaired memory reduced dorsal hippocampus Ach level, and induced apoptosis. Crocin, significantly improved the memory (F = 343.20; P < 0.001 for RAM error choices and F = 182.5; P < 0.0001 for MWM), increased Ach level (F = 115.1; P < 0.001) and prevented hippocampal neuronal apoptosis (W = 183.50; P < 0.001) as compared statistically by ANOVA test. Crocin can be suggested as a promising therapy for ischemic cerebrovascular accidents by its memory preserving, Ach-increasing, and neuroprotective effects.