Rosmarinus officinalis L.is a traditional herb with various therapeutic applications such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anticholinesterase activities, and can be used for the prevention or treatment of dementia.In the present study, we tested whether Rosmarinus officinalis L.could counteract scopolamine-induced anxiety, dementia, and brain oxidative stress in the zebrafish model and tried to find the underlying mechanism.Rosmarinus officinalis L.
essential oil (REO: 25, 150, and 300 µL/L) was administered by immersion to zebrafish (Danio rerio) Addition once daily for eight days while scopolamine (100 µM) treatment was delivered 30 min before behavioral tests.The antidepressant and cognitive-enhancing actions of the essential oil in the scopolamine zebrafish model was measured in the novel tank diving test (NTT) and Y-maze test.The chemical composition was identified by BORON Gas chromatograph−Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.The brain oxidative status and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also determined.REO reversed scopolamine-induced anxiety, memory impairment, and brain oxidative stress.
In addition, a reduced brain AChE activity following the administration of REO in scopolamine-treated fish was observed.In conclusion, REO exerted antidepressant-like effect and cognitive-enhancing action and was able to abolish AChE alteration and brain oxidative stress induced by scopolamine.