Therapeutic potential of Asplenium caudatum in Aluminum Chloride-induced Alzheimer’s diseases: An insight of integrative approaches

Abstract

Background

Asplenium caudatum, or Khagpie, is a plant native to Africa and Southeast Asia that tribal communities have long relied upon for medicinal purposes.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer’s potential of Asplenium caudatum by in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods.

Methods

We have evaluated the in vitro free radical scavenging ability and phenolic content assays of aqueous (ASP-W) and hexane (ASP-H) extracts. Moreover, the inhibitory activities against AChE, BuChE, ROCK II, GSK-3β, LOX-5, TNF-α, COX-2, and Na⁺K⁺ATPase, along with the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity) were also studied. Histopathological alterations in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the rat brain were also assessed.

Results

It was found that the ASP-W and ASP-H fractions had much stronger radical scavenging activity than the other fractions. Based on in vitro results ASP-H and ASP-W fractions were chosen for in vivo studies in AlCl₃-stimulated cognitive damage. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Cognitive impairment caused by AlCl₃ was prevented by the ASP-H and ASP-W fractions in a dose-dependent manner in male Wistar rats. Moreover, the substantial improvement of cholinergic function by reducing oxidative stress, and the suppression of GSK-3β, ROCK II, LOX-5, TNF-α, COX-2, and Na+K+ATPase expression and activity were observed. In silico studies demonstrated the strong affinity of phytochemicals towards AD biomarkers, confirming their function in preventing and regulating AD pathogenesis.

Conclusion

Consequently, the findings point to an anti-Alzheimer's ability of the ASP-W and ASP-H fractions.