Neuroprotective role of a protoberberine alkaloid against aluminum-induced neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity

The study was performed to investigate the possible neuroprotective role of palmatine, a protoberberine alkaloid against aluminum-induced aberration in neurotransmitter levels, excitotoxicity, neuronal inflammation, damage, and degeneration. 100 mg/kg aluminum chloride served as inducing agent administered orally male Wistar albino rats for 42 consecutive days. Animals were divided into four groups, groups I, II, III, IV which involve normal group, toxic control group receiving chloride, two treatment with palmatine at dose 10 20 respectively followed by chloride. Expression inflammatory markers like IL-6 TNF- α checked ELISA method. Deranged levels acetylcholine esterase glutamate rat brains measured determine extent excitotoxicity. determined based on histopathological studies determining BDNF expression immunohistochemistry method brains. Palmatine effectively regulated acetylcholinesterase otherwise elevated aluminum. It lowered excitotoxic damage induced degree α. Improved palmatine-treated is indicative potential restoration neuroplasticity. Histopathology further confirms significantly prevented degeneration loss restored healthy viable neurons. findings confirm neuroinflammation