Adansonia digitata L. fruit shell prevents aluminum-induced cognitive impairment and depression in mice

Purpose

Aluminum exposure can lead to free radicals production and increased susceptibility to lipids peroxidation in the central nervous system. The was aimed at evaluating the role of acetone extract of A. digitata shell acetone extract (ASAE) on oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) level, and hippocampal histology of aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-treated rats.

Methods

Twenty-five rats were allotted into five groups (n = 5). The groups received distilled water, 250 mg/kg aluminum chloride, 250 mg/kg ASAE plus AlCl3, 500 mg/kg ASAE plus AlCl3, and 200 mg/kg Vitamin C plus AlCl3 respectively once daily for sixty days. Modified elevated plus maze (mEPM) and force swim test was conducted after 24 h. One half of the rat brain was homogenized and used to evaluate AChE level and oxidative stress biomarkers while the other half was processed for light microscopy.

Results

Pre-treatment with ASAE was shown to significantly decrease (p < .05) the first transfer latency of mEPM and immobility time of the force swim test relative to the AlCl3-treated rats. The brain AChE level was significantly increased (p < .05) in rats treated with AlCl3 relative to the control. ASAE was found to regulate the AChE level. ASAE was found to significantly elevate (p < .05) superoxide dismutase and catalase activity relative to the control and AlCl3-treated rats.

Conclusions

The findings of the current study revealed that ASAE could prevent AlCl3-induced cognitive impairment and depression. It also regulated brain AChE levels and enhanced antioxidant activity. These suggest that ASAE could serve as a natural product for preventing oxidative stress-related diseases.