Anticholinesterase Effects of Annona Muricata Leaf Extract on Aluminum Lactate-Induced Alzheimer’s-Like Disease in Albino Rats

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus, leading to brain cells’ death with a concomitant decline in memory and thinking. Cholinesterase inhibitors and N-Methyl-D-Aapartate are the approved classes of drugs for AD treatment. Annona muricata, an Annonacea family, shows various potentials in ethnotraditional medicine e.g. anti-inflammatory potential. This study aimed to determine the anticholinesterase effects of Annona muricata on aluminum lactate-induced Alzheimer’s-like disease in rats, compare its effects with that of Neostigmine; and determine the potential of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase in AD diagnosis. Thirty rats were used and grouped into five groups of 6 each: group-I (normal control, administered with distilled water only), group-II (negative control, only induced with the toxicant), group-III (standard control, treated with 2mg/Kg-Neostigmine + toxicant induction), and groups-IV and V (were treated with 250mg/Kg and 500mg/Kg of A. muricata respectively + toxicant induction). The treatment lasted for 28days and the toxicant accompanied it after the third week, for the last 7days. The biochemical analysis was carried out and revealed significant (p<0.05) alteration induced by the toxicant in the levels of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Treatments with Neostigmine and A. muricata significantly (p<0.05) countered these effects at varying capacity and dose dependence; with A. muricata (at 500mg/Kg) having more potency than the standard drug. Conclusively, A. muricata exhibits dose-dependent anticholinesterase potential in the management of AD more than Neostigmine; acetylcholnesterase and butyrylcholinesterase are good candidates for AD diagnosis and management, and aluminum lactate holds promise in inducing AD.