Analyzing Nootropic Effect of Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. on Cognitive Functions, Brain Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity against Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Model in Rats: Applicable for Controlling the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease ()
ABSTRACT
Oxidative stress is intensely linked with neurodegenerative disorders, especially Alzheimer’s disease
(AD). Searching for medicinal plant with the nootropic activity for controling the development
and progression of AD has received extensive consideration. The plant Phyllanthus reticulatus
(PR) Poir. is known in Bengali as Panjuli belongs to family Euphorbiaceae. Previous studies
have shown the antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, etc. activities of this plant. Therefore,
the objective of this study was to examine the nootropic effect of ethanolic extracts of Phyllanthus
reticulatus (EEPR) on cognitive functions, brain antioxidatant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase
activity in aluminium-induced rats of cognitive impairment and oxidative stress. The effects of
EEPR fruit (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) were examined for 30 days and its nootropic effect was
determined in aluminium treated Swiss albino male rats by behavioral studies such as Passive
Avoidance (PA) test, Rewarded Alternation (RA) test and biochemical studies such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in rats brain tissue homogenates. In PA test, administration of
EEPR fruit (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg, b.w.) significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased step-through
latency (STL) in rats on 30th day with respect to disease control group. The percentage of memory
retention (MR) for this test was pointedly (P < 0.05) increased in rats treated with EEPR fruit (i.e.,
200 mg/kg b.w.) as compared with disease control group. For RA test, EEPR fruit (i.e., 200 mg/kg
b.w.) markedly (P < 0.01) increased the correct responses (CR) in rats on 30th day related to disease
control group. In case of this test the percentage of MR was significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01)
increased in rats treated with EEPR fruit (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) with respect to disease
control group. Administration of EEPR fruit (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) considerably (P < 0.05, P
< 0.01) increased the level of SOD, CAT and expressively (P < 0.05) decreased TBARS level compared
to disease control group. Treatment with EEPR fruit (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) markedly
(P < 0.05, P < 0.01) decreased the level of AChE activity to that of disease control group. The
present study shows that EEPR fruit has excellent nootropic effect on cognitive performance and
brain antioxidant markers in aluminium-induced rats of cognitive impairment and oxidative stress
which could be developed in the management of neurodegenerative diseases especially AD.
Share and Cite:
Uddin, M. , Mamun, A. , Iqbal, M. , Islam, A. , Hossain, M. , Khanum, S. and Rashid, M. (2016) Analyzing Nootropic Effect of
Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. on Cognitive Functions, Brain Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity against Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Model in Rats: Applicable for Controlling the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease,
5, 87-102. doi:
10.4236/aad.2016.53007.