Evaluation of the protective effect of Clitoria ternatea L. against propionic acid induced autistic spectrum disorders in rat model

Abstract

Abstract Background As a result of aberrant neural development, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by complicated behavioural and memory issues. The dearth of knowledge about the actual etiopathology of autism makes treatment extremely difficult. There is a collection of plants known as "Medhya drugs" in the Ayurvedic system of medicine because of their capacity to boost brain and neuron-related activities including learning and memory. Clitoria ternatea L. is a "Medhya drug" that has been shown to improve memory. In this study, the ethanolic root extract of Clitoria ternatea L. was evaluated for its neuroprotective effects against propionic acid induced neuroinflammation in autistic rat modells. Method Adult Wistar rats were segregated into 4 groups and administered the vehicle/extract for 28 days. Induction of autism was done by intra-cerebro-ventricular infusion of propionic acid between 22nd and 28th day of the study. During this infusion period, rats were subjected to various in vivo behaviour and memory evaluation methods by performing actophotometer test and Morris water maze test. On 29th day of the study, animals were sacrified to get the brain tissues. Extracted brain tissues were utilised for the estimation of various neuroinflammatory markers levels (TNF-α and IL-6), immunohistochemical analysis of neuroinflammation, and histopathological analysis. Results Pre-treatment of rats with extract at two dose levels (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced the neuroinflammation, memory and cognitive impairment produced by the propionic acid in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion Study results showed the potent neuroprotective effects of Clitoria ternatea L. roots against the propionc induced autistic neuroinflammation.