Balanites aegyptiaca extract to treat risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease: an in vitro study

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was investigated the ability of B. aegyptiaca crude extract in treating and/or controlling Alzheimer’s disease risk factors based on its inhibitory effect on neurotransmitter hydrolyzing enzymes (AChE and butyrylcholine esterase BuChE)), amyloid accumulation-related factor (tyrosinase), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The inhibitory effect of the crude extract of Balanites aegyptiaca dates was tested in vitro against three Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers—i.e., acetylcholine esterase, butyrylcholine esterase, and tyrosinase. In addition, B. aegyptiaca extract was examined for its antioxidant activity by several methods and for its anti-inflammatory effect by its inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2. Results demonstrated that B. aegyptiaca extract successfully inhibited acetylcholine esterase (IC50; 193.78 ± 10.50 µg/mL), butyrylcholine esterase (IC50; 490.91 ± 15.45 µg/mL), and tyrosinase (IC50; 1.97±0.08 , 9.61 ± 0.11, and 12.03 ± 0.90 μg/mL at incubation times of 10, 20, and 40 min, respectively); it also showed selective anti-inflammatory effect against COX-2 not COX-1. Additionally, B. aegyptiaca extract recorded potent antioxidant properties, including free radicals and oxygen reactive species (ROS) scavenging, metal chelation, reducing capability, and lipid peroxidation inhibition. These activities may be attributed to its unique chemical composition containing alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, and coumarins. The results of this study suggest that B. aegyptiaca extract showed promise anti-Alzheimer’s disease activity in vitro, qualified it to incorporate in advanced preclinical trials for discovering alternative herbal medications.