The effect of 8 weeks of interval training combined with the consumption of cineole, linalool, and bourbonene on MAPK/Arc gene expression and learning in rats with Alzheimer’s disease

Background and aims: This research aimed to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of interval training and the use of cineole, linalool, and bourbonene on MAPK/Arc gene expression and learning in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 AD rats were randomized into eight groups, including (1) control, (2) AD, (3) AD + aerobic training (AT), (4) AD + linalool, cineole, and bourbonene (LCB), (5) AD + AT + LCB, (6) AT + AD, (7) LCB + AD, and (8) AT + LCB + AD. AD was induced by injecting amyloid-beta (Aβ1)-42 into the hippocampus of rats. The interval training protocol was performed five days per week for eight weeks before and after AD induction. Linalool at a concentration of 25 mg/kg, cineole at a concentration of 10 μM, and β-bourbonene at a concentration of 10 μg/mL were used for eight weeks. One-way analysis of variance was used for between-group comparisons, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons at P ≤ 0.05. Results: AD induction caused a significant decrease in MAPK/Arc gene expression in hippocampal tissue (P = 0.001). Interval exercise and consumption of three herbal drugs significantly increased gene expression of Arc (P = 0.001) and MAPK (P = 0.001). AD induction decreased learning (P = 0.001). Interval exercise and consumption of three herbal medicines caused a significant increase in learning (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Interval exercise and using three herbal medicines have more favorable effects on improving MAPK/Arc gene expression and learning in AD than each alone.