The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic efficacy of Salvia triloba and Piper nigrum total extract in modulation of neuroinflammation insults characteristic for Alzheimer's disease in experimental rat model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were classified into five groups: (1), control group; (2), ADinduced group which was orally administered with aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in a dose of 17 mg/kg b. wt. daily for one month; (3), AD-induced group which was treated orally with rivastigmine in a dose of 0.3 mg/kg b. wt. daily for three months; (4), AD-induced group divided into two subgroups each subgroup was treated orally with one of the selected medicinal plants extract in a dose of 750 mg/kg b. wt. for Salvia triloba L. and 187.5 mg/kg b. wt. for Piper nigrum daily for three months and (5), AD-induced group was divided into two subgroups each subgroup was treated orally with one of the selected medicinal plants extract in a dose of 375 mg/kg b. wt. for Salvia triloba L. and 93.75 mg/kg b. wt. for Piper nigrum daily for three months. Brain and serum acetycholinesterase activity (AchE), Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2), Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl 2) levels were detected. Histological investigations of brain sections of all studied groups were also carried out. The results showed that administration of AlCl3 resulted in significant elevation in brain and serum AchE, COX 2 and LTB4 levels accompanied with significant depletion in brain and serum Bcl 2 level. Histological investigations of the brain of rats administered AlCl3 showed the appearance of amyloid plaques characterizing AD. While, treatment of rats with the selected medicinal plant total extract caused marked improvement in the measured biochemical parameters as well as in the histological features of the brain. In conclusion, Salvia triloba and Piper nigrum have a potent antiinflammatory as well as antiapoptotic effects against neuroinflammation insults characterizing Alzheimer’s disease.
