Mnemonic and neuroprotective properties of Sclerocarya birrea root bark decoction on mouse model of monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity involve by its antioxidant activities

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant known for the treatment of several diseases such as epilepsy, hypertension, inflammation and memory disorders in Cameroonian folk medicine. Aim of the study: The aim of this work is to evaluate the memory improvement and neuroprotective effects of Sclerocarya birrea aqueous root bark extracts and investigate it antioxidant properties. Materials and methods: T-maze and the object recognition test in an open field were used for behavioral testing to detect its neuroprotective and memory improvement properties. The DPPH test was used to predict antioxidant activities in vitro. The in vivo antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts were investigated using the Monosodium glutamate induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity mouse model. After the behavioral testing, animals were decapitated and the brains were removed for oxidative stress biomarkers determination. Results: Sclerocarya birrea decreased the preferred arm choice latency and the time spent in the discriminated, in the T-maze. It increased exploration time and recognition index, and decreased the latency to explore the new object B. In addition, Sclerocarya birrea increased the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and reduced glutathione level. Conclusion: These results suggest that Sclerocarya birrea possess neuroprotective and mnemonic activities in mice that might involve by its free radicals scavenging propertie