The Neuroprotective Effect of Lycopodium and Withania Somnifera on Alzheimer’s Disease Induced by Aluminum Chloride in Rats

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a serious health problem worldwide and known as the most common type of neurodegenerative diseases. Lycopodium (Lyc) and Withania Somnifera (WS) contains a bio active compound that proved to restore and improve cholinergic system. The present study aimed to examine the neuroprotective potential of Lyc and WS on Aluminum Chloride induced AD in rats. Fifty female Albino rats were equally and randomly divided to five groups, ten rats in each group. The rats of the first group received distilled water and served as control. The rats from second to fifth group received AlCl3 (175mg/kg), the second groups consider as AD group, in addition to AlCl3, third group received Lyc (50mg/kg), fourth received WS (200mg/kg), fifth received both treatments. After 30 days, the Acetylcholine (Ach), Acetylcholinesterase (AchE), Butyrylcholinesterase (BchE), Amyloid beta-42 (Ab-42), Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and Na+/K+ATPase were evaluated. The result showed that AlCl3 significantly increased Ach, AchE, BchE, Ab-42 levels, and significantly decreased TH and Na+/K+ ATPase levels in rats model of AD. Administration of Lyc and WS to rats model of AD for 30 days showed an improvement in biochemical alteration caused by AlCl3. This study suggests that oral administration of Lyc and WS have a neuroprotective effect in AD animal model.