Evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Clitoria ternatea root Extract on chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments in rats

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), commonly referred to as “chemo brain,” is a significant neurological complication associated with cancer chemotherapy, characterised by deficits in memory, learning, attention, and executive functions. Currently, effective therapeutic strategies to prevent or manage CICI are limited. Clitoria ternatea, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, possesses notable neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nootropic properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Clitoria ternatea root extract against chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairments in rats. Cognitive dysfunction was experimentally induced using a standard chemotherapeutic agent, and the rats were treated with Clitoria ternatea root extract at selected doses. Behavioural assessments, including learning and memory paradigms, were employed to evaluate cognitive performance. Biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation were also analysed in brain tissue. The results demonstrated that treatment with Clitoria ternatea root extract significantly improved cognitive performance and attenuated chemotherapy-induced behavioural deficits. Additionally, the extract restored antioxidant enzyme levels and reduced oxidative stress markers, indicating its neuroprotective potential. These findings suggest that Clitoria ternatea root extract may serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for the prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effects.