The Effect of Essential Oil of Lavandula Angustifolia on Amyloid Beta Polymerization: An <i>In Vitro</i> Study

Abstract

<em>Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder associated with cognitive and memory deficits. Accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques is one of the major causes of AD. Therefore, inhibition of the plaque formation has been aimed to play a preventive role in the disease. Lavender, through some neuroprotective roles such as antioxidant effects, is known to be an effective candidate in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this study using Thioflavin T Measurement and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Imaging, we evaluated the effect of essential oil of lavender on Aβ polymerization. Thioflavin T Method showed that essential oil enhances the Aβ aggregation. The results of the AFM method also confirmed it. Our data antagonizes previous results indicating the clearing effect of aqueous extract of lavender on Aβ plaque. It seems that the different combination of essential oil and aqueous extract considerably determines if or not the aggregation occurs.</em>