RESUMEN
AIM: Scopolamine is known to produce amnesia due to blockade of the cholinergic neurotransmission. The present study investigated the potential of Convolvulus pluricaulis (CP) to attenuate scopolamine (2 mg/kg, i.p) induced increased protein and mRNA levels of tau, amyloid precursor protein (AßPP), amyloid ß (Aß) levels and histopathological changes in rat cerebral cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on male Wistar rats (250 ± 20 g) divided into four groups of eight animals each. Groups 1 and 2 served as controls receiving normal saline and scopolamine for 4 weeks, respectively. Group 3 received rivastigmine (standard) and group 4 received aqueous extract of CP simultaneously with scopolamine. Western blot and RT-PCR analysis were used to evaluate the levels of protein and mRNA of amyloid precursor protein (AßPP) and tau in rat cortex and ELISA was used to measure the amyloid ß (Aß) levels. Histopathology was also performed on cortical section of all groups. RESULT: Oral administration of CP extract (150 mg/kg) to scopolamine treated rats reduced the increased protein and mRNA levels of tau and AßPP levels followed by reduction in Aß levels compared with scopolamine treated group. The potential of extract to prevent scopolamine neurotoxicity was reflected at the microscopic level as well, indicative of its neuroprotective effects. CONCLUSION: CP treatment alleviated neurotoxic effect of scopolamine reflects its potential as potent neuroprotective agent.
Asunto(s)
Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/antagonistas & inhibidores , Encéfalo/efectos de los fármacos , Convolvulus , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Escopolamina/toxicidad , Proteínas tau/antagonistas & inhibidores , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/biosíntesis , Animales , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Corteza Cerebral/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Raíces de Plantas , Distribución Aleatoria , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Proteínas tau/biosíntesisRESUMEN
AIM OF THE STUDY: Convolvulus pluricaulis (Convolvulaceae) has long been used as traditional herbal medicine in India as nerve tonic. We investigated neuroprotective effects of aqueous extract from Convolvulus pluricaulis (CP) against aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity in rat cerebral cortex. MATERIAL, METHOD AND RESULT: Daily administration of CP (150 mg/kg) for 3 months along with aluminium chloride (50 mg/kg) decreased the elevated enzymatic activity of acetylcholine esterase and also inhibited the decline in Na(+)/K(+)ATPase activity which resulted from aluminium intake. Beside, preventing accumulation of lipid and protein damage, changes in the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes associated with aluminium administration were also rectified. Oral administration of CP preserved the mRNA levels of muscarinic receptor 1 (M1 receptor), choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and Nerve Growth Factor-Tyrosine kinase A receptor (NGF-TrkA). It also ameliorated the upregulated protein expression of cyclin dependent kinase5 (Cdk5) induced by aluminium. The potential of CPE to inhibit aluminium induced toxicity was compared with rivastigmine tartrate (1mg/kg), which was taken as standard. The potential of the extract to prevent aluminium-induced neurotoxicity was also reflected at the microscopic level, indicative of its neuroprotective effects. CONCLUSION: Convolvulus pluricaulis possesses neuroprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating toxic effects of aluminium.