Neuroprotective Effect of Ellagic Acid Against Chronically Scopolamine Induced Alzheimer's Type Memory and Cognitive Dysfunctions: Possible Behavioural and Biochemical Evidences

Adjudge the neuroprotective ability of Ellagic acid (EA) as a constructive herbal drug to impede cholinergic dysfunctions and oxidative stress in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in chronically administered scopolamine induced Alzheimer’s type dementia in rats. Alzheimer’s type dementia was induced by chronically administered intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (0.7 mg/kg) to rats for period of 7 days. EA (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) and Donepezil (0.5 mg/kg) were administrated to rats orally daily for a period of 13 days. Memory-related behavioral parameters were evaluated using the elevated plus maze (EPM) for 2 days and morris water maze (MWM) for 5 days. At the end of protocol schedulei.e day 14, biochemical parameters were estimated like AChE, MDA, GSH, catalase and SOD to evaluate the neuroprotective action of EA via AChE inhibition and antioxidant activity. Chronically injected scopolamine treatment increased the transfer latency in EPM, escape latency time and shortened time spent in the target quadrant in MWM; these effects were reversed by EA. Scopolamine-mediated changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) and AChE activity were significantly attenuated by EA in rats. Recovery of antioxidant capacities, including reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and the activities of SOD and catalase was also evident in EA treated rats. The present findings sufficiently encourage that EA has a major role in the neuroprotection in chronically injected Scopolamine induced Alzheimer type dementia. The EA can be used as an effectual herbal treatment to prevent cholinergic dysfunctions and oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer type dementia.