Moringa Oleifera via Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Mediated Response Abates Aluminum Chloride-Induced Neurobehavioral Deficits and Hippocampal Neurodegeneration in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Chronic aluminum toxicity induces cellular alterations and oxidative stress thereby causing neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. This study elucidated the neuroprotective efficacy of Moringa oleifera (MO) on aluminum-chloride (AlCl ) induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) in adult Wistar rats. Forty (40) adult male Wistar 3 rats (160±20 g) were divided into 4 groups (n=10). Group A received normal saline as placebo; Group B received 200 mg/kg body weight of AlCl only; Group C received 100 mg/kg body weight of MO and 200 mg/kg body weight 3 of AlCl and Group D received 100 mg/kg body weight of MO only. All administration was done orally per day for 3 45 days. After the last administration, the animals underwent behavioral tests (Morris Water maze, Y-Maze, and Open field). Thereafter, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood samples were collected to obtain serum and the brain was harvested for further analysis. The antioxidant enzymes (CAT, GSH, and SOD) levels, serum electrolyte (Na+, Ca2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+, except K+,) and neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, serotonin, except norepinephrine), behavioral tests (spatial memory and learning deficit) were significantly decreased with corresponding increase in oxidative stress markers (MDA, H O and NO) among AlCl induced group. MO 2 2 3 preserves hippocampal neurons, antioxidant levels, neurotransmitters, learning, and memory abilities induced by AlCl .

Key Words: Alzheimer's disease; Aluminum chloride; Moringa oleifera; Oxidative stress; hippocampus