Evaluation of Neuroprotective effect of Cassia occidentalis L. against colchicine induced memory impairment in Wistar rats

Abstract

Abstract Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that develops with aging. Objective: In this research, we have examined the anti - Alzheimer’s effect of ethanolic extract from roots of Cassia occidentalis L. on colchicine induced Alzheimer’s in Wistar rats. Methods: Ethanolic extract was obtained and spectroscopic, chromatography analysis was performed. Acute toxicity studies using OECD Guidelines 423 were performed to examine and make sure that there were no signs of toxic effects. The induction of AD was done using colchicine which leads to symptoms like neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Body weight, behavioral parameters, locomotor activity, biochemical evaluation was performed. Results: Pharmacognostic analysis showed the presence of vascular bundles, starch grains, fibers, calcium oxalate crystals, elongated parenchyma, and collenchyma mucilage. Presence of phytoconstituens as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and phenols was detected. Locomotor activity, Escape latency time, Conditioned avoidance response, Transfer latency were improved with treatment. Interleukin- 6 levels were reduced significantly in treatment Group V (739.2±0.37) than in Group - II (850.6±0.40). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was decreased in Group - V (1030.93±0.00) than in Group - II (1455.06±1.25). A significant decrease in beta-amyloid protein level was observed in Group- II (2.52± 0.10), (3.33±0.90) as compared to Group- V (5.27±0.09), (5.01±0.10) respectively, in the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex. Histopathology of the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex showed reduced neuroinflammation, diminished amyloid plaques, and neurodegeneration in the treatment groups. Conclusions: The ethanolic extract from roots of Cassia occidentalis L. improved memory damage, was neuroprotective in Alzheimer’s induced rats. It restored neuronal degeneration in the Hippocampus, and Entorhinal cortex and reduced oxidative stress.