Evaluation of the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus against aluminium chloride induced neurochemical alterations and spatial memory deficits in rats

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus nut kernels against aluminium chloride induced spatial memory deficits in rats.Methods: Plant material was extracted, and extracts were evaluated for anti-oxidants by DPPH method. Animals were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group 1 was normal group and was kept undisturbed. Group 2 was administered with Aluminium Chloride (4.2mg/kg i.p) for 21 successive days. Group 3 and 4 were pre-administered with Prunus amygdalus methanolic extract at dose 0.5 and 1mg/kg/ p.o) one hour prior to aluminium chloride administration. The memory parameters (both acquisition and retrieval) were evaluated using Morris water maze. After behavioural studies, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and braintissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity were measured. Brain tissues from all the groups were histopathologically evaluated using Haematoxylin-eosin staining.Results: Administration of Aluminium chloride resulted in severe memory deficits and neurochemical alterations as was indicated by significant increase in Transfer Latency (TL) time on Morris water maze and increase in the brain tissue TBARS levels in the control group animals. There was significant reduction in the GSH and catalase levels indicating decreased anti-oxidant defence. Histopathologically, control group animal brain tissue showed signs of neuroinflammation. All behavioural and neurochemical and histopathological changes were prevented to a significant extent in the animal groups pre-treated with Prunus amygdalus extract.Conclusions: Methanolic extract of Prunus amaygdalus possesses protective activity against aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity and associated memory deficits