Evaluation of neuroprotective potential of methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus extract in Aβ (1-42) induced rats

Abstract

Excessive cerebral deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides with 40-42 amino acids are the major neuropathologic feature of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), accompanied by a progressive and functional decline in cognition. With the failing attempts in the development of new pharmacological intervention and due to suboptimal results from the existing therapies available for the treatment of AD, there is a constant hunt for a new therapeutic alternative to address this severe neurodegenerative disease. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hemidesmus indicus extract in Aβ (1-42) infused model of AD. Sporadic model of AD was achieved by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of Aβ (1-42) peptide in Wistar rats, followed by treatment with methanolic extract of H. indicus (MEHI) at 100 and 200 mg/kg for 28 days. Locomotor activity, Radial arm Maze task and Passive avoidance test were used for the assessment of neurobehavioral deficits. After completion of 28 days treatment protocol, animals were euthanized and brains were collected for neurochemical analysis. Reversal of cognitive impairment was observed by MEHI on Aβ (1-42) rats, as evidenced by improved spatial memory learning. Furthermore, MEHI attenuated Aβ (1-42) induced oxidative stress and inhibited acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Collectively, these findings exhibited neuroprotective activity of MEHI by ameliorating Aβ (1-42) mediated neuronal damage, thereby can stand as a potential disease-modifying therapeutic for curbing AD pathology.