Neuroprotective activity of Aerva lanata extracts in Aluminium chloride induced Alzheimer’s disease in Wistar rats

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that is associated with dementia that slowly erases memory, thinking, and behavioural skills, accounting for 60-70% of all cases affecting millions of people worldwide. Amyloid Beta forms extracellular neuritic plaques, and these neuritic plaques, along with intracellular NFTs, are the two hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease. Aluminium is one of the abundant elements. Aluminium exposure is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly aluminium chloride (AlCl₃). In this study, the neuroprotective and therapeutic potential of Aerva lanata was investigated in AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups, with each group consisting of 6 rats treated for 28 days. The groups included control, AlCl₃, Standard, ethanolic, and aqueous extract-treated groups. Behavioural analysis was performed using the MWM Test. Biochemical examination of brain homogenates was performed to determine the activity of antioxidant markers and AChE activity as a measure of cholinergic function. Histopathological evaluations were also performed to assess tissue-level changes.

The administration of aluminium chloride led to notable cognitive deficits, elevated oxidative stress markers, increased AChE activity, and histopathological damage, confirming the successful induction of Alzheimer’s like pathology. The Aerva lanata treatment, in particular its aqueous extract, significantly improved behavioural performance, reduced oxidative stress, suppressed AChE activity, and ameliorated histopathological damage. Both aqueous and ethanol extracts of Aerva lanata treated groups showed better efficacy compared to the standard treatment.

These findings suggest that Aerva lanata, especially in its aqueous form, offers multi-targeted neuroprotective effects against AD-like neurodegeneration through antioxidant and cholinergic modulating properties. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of Aerva lanata as a natural and effective candidate for the management of Alzheimer’s disease. Further investigations are required to validate the mechanism and applicability in other AD models and human trials