In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of the Effects of Parsley ( <i>Petroselinum crispum</i> L.) Extract on Small Intestinal Tissue in Scopolamine‐Induced Cognitive Dysfunction Model

Abstract The brain–small intestine connection has become important in neurodegenerative diseases in recent years. In particular, the discovery of the relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the small intestine and the examination of the effects of AD on this tissue are important in this respect. Our study aimed to understand the effects of the experimentally created AD model in rats on the small intestinal tissue and the protective effect of the extract prepared from parsley leaves (PE). The experimental animals were divided into four groups in the study; Control, Scopolamine (Scop), Scop + PE and Scop + Galantamine (GAL). Oxidative stress parameters and activities of some important enzymes were examined in small intestinal tissues taken as a result of the experimental protocol. Additionally, in silico studies were carried out for bioactive molecules found in parsley leaves using data obtained from in vivo enzyme activity results. It was found that parameters examined for the damaged group, Scop, were reversed by PE and GAL treatment. As a result of in silico studies, it was determined that oxypeucedanin and phylloquinone had higher binding affinity than rutin for acetylcholinesterase (AChE). It has been observed that oxidative damage in the small intestine due to AD can be treated by the PE.