Hematological and biochemical evaluation of Rasasindura on Amyloid beta induced Alzheimer’s disease in Sprague Dawley rats

The present investigation was conducted to assess the neuroprotective effect of Rasasindura (Mercuric sulphide) in a male Sprague Dawley rat model of Amyloid β induced Alzheimer’s disease. The study included four groups of 10 rats each. Group I (Sham operated) rats received 3µl double distilled water bilateral intracerebroventrically, Group II (disease control) rats received 3µg of Amyloid β bilateral intracerebroventrically and 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose at respective dose volumes daily orally for 14 days. Group III (RS1 group) and Group IV (RS2 group) received Rasasindura @ 11.25 mg/kg bw and 22.5 mg/kg bw, daily for 14 days respectively, along with 3µg of Amyloid β bilateral intracerebroventrically. The MWM test was performed 18 days after the injection of Aβ1-42 protein ICV to evaluate the learning behavior and spatial memory in rats. Group II rats showed significant changes in hematobiochemical parameters and pathomorphological parameters of the brain and liver, significant decrease in body weight and brain weight, learning behavioral training period, time spent in and number of entries to target quadrant, significant increase in escape latency and distance travelled to reach the goal platform on probe test day. The changes caused by Amyloid β were alleviated in Rasasindura treatment groups in a dose dependent manner. Likewise, histopathologically, the Rasasindura treated groups showed substantial decrease in amyloid plaque deposition, hyperpigmented neurons, spongiosis and lymphocytic infiltration in CA1 region of hippocampus and apoptosis in the liver parenchyma. Rasasindura @ 22.5 mg/kg bw showed better neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects than Rasasindura @11.25 mg/kg bw.