Evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of Momordica dioica against aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-Induced alzheimer’s disease in Wistar rats

Alzheimer's disease is a brain condition that slowly erodes a person's memory and cognitive abilities. It is caused by damage to brain cell, particularly in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory. By 2050 worldwide no. of AD is going increases. Various therapeutic strategies have been explored for AD. The use of herbal products is one of the treatment regimens for AD. In this study, we examined how a herbal extract from Momordica dioica could potentially protect Wistar rats from AD caused by Aluminum chloride. Aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) is widely used in preclinical studies to induce Alzheimer-like symptoms, as chronic exposure is known to promote oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cholinergic dysfunction-hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease pathology. A total of 86 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups (n = 6-10 per group), including a normal control group and an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model group. One group treated with Donepezil (2.05 mg/kg), three groups treated with different doses of herbal extract of Momordica dioica (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and three groups treated with a combination of Donepezil and herbal extract of Momordica dioica (std + 100, std + 200 and std + 400 mg/kg). The aluminum chloride (17 mg/kg, p.o) was administered once daily for 7 days to induce AD. From the 8th day onward, the herbal extract of Momordica dioica was administered orally for 21 consecutive days at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg to groups 4, 5, and 6 respectively, as well as in combination with Donepezil (2.05 mg/kg) in groups 7, 8, and 9. This brought the total duration of the study to 28 days." Elevated Plus Maze and Forced Swim test was used for the behavioral assessment. After that, brain samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Herbal Extract significantly improved AlCl3-induced behavioral impairments and cognition deficits in Forced Swim Test, Elevated Plus Maze Test significantly with high dose. Then, herbal extract of Momordica dioica facilitated cholinergic activity via inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Besides, herbal extract of Momordica dioica decreased lipid peroxidation level & Nitrite level but enhanced levels of glutathione, Succinate dehydrogenase, Catalase and superoxide dismutase and results are more convincing with high dose. Histopathological analysis further confirmed reduced neuronal degeneration and better preservation of brain architecture, especially at higher doses of the herbal extract." The results suggested that herbal extract of Momordica dioica ameliorated AlCl3-induced cognitive and memory impairments, possibly through regulating AChE activity, suppressing oxidative stress. The herbal extract of Momordica dioica significantly improved behavioral impairments and cognition deficits, particularly at high doses. It facilitates cholinergic activity by inhibiting AChE activity and reduced oxidative stress. Overall, the conclusion states that the herbal extract may ameliorate and memory impairments associated with AD.