Safeguarding Neuronal Integrity: Unveiling Possible Role of NFκB in the Neuroprotective Efficacy of Andrographolide Contrary to Aluminium Chloride-induced Neurotoxicity and Associated Spatial Memory Impairments in Rats.

Abstract

Objective: The current study was structured to evaluate the neuroprotective properties of andrographolide in the context of aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced neurotoxicity, along with its concurrent impact on spatial memory impairment in Wistar rats. The present investigation elucidated the biochemical and neurobehavioral outcomes of andrographolide treatment in rats, emphasizing the areas of the brain associated with memory, i.e., the cortex and the hippocampus.

Materials and methods: Prolonged dosing of AlCl3 (7 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 10 days exhibited a substantial enhancement in the values of oxidative stress markers associated with a reduction in the concentrations of antioxidant enzymes within the brain. The selection of andrographolide doses (1, 2, and 3 mg/kg) was grounded in precedent safety and toxicity investigations, with subsequent oral administration. The evaluation of behavioral parameters, specifically spatial memory, was conducted through the utilization of the Radial Eight Arm Maze (RAM) test. On the concluding day of the experiment, the assessment encompassed biochemical parameter analysis and histological scrutiny of the brain tissue.

Results: The oral dosing of andrographolide at 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg, in conjunction with AlCl3, effectively mitigated the behavioral deficits induced by aluminum exposure. Notably, a significant suppression of NFκB was uncovered in the rats treated with andrographolide. Furthermore, histopathological examinations of the cortex and hippocampus of rat brains provided corroborative evidence, demonstrating that andrographolide substantially alleviated the toxic impact of AlCl3, thereby maintaining the typical histoarchitectural arrangement of these regions.

Conclusion: These findings collectively suggest that andrographolide holds the potential to counteract memory impairment instigated by aluminum toxicity, accomplished through the modulation of NFκB activity and the amelioration of the adverse consequences of AlCl3 exposure.