Exploration of neuroprotective and cognition boosting effects of Mazus pumilus in Alzheimer’s disease model

Malik Saadullah; Jahan Ara Batool; Muhammad Rashad; Muhammad Asif; Zunera Chauhdary; Asia Bibi

doi:10.1515/jcim-2024-0231

Article

Exploration of neuroprotective and cognition boosting effects of Mazus pumilus in Alzheimer’s disease model

Malik Saadullah , Jahan Ara Batool , Muhammad Rashad , Muhammad Asif , Zunera Chauhdary and Asia Bibi

Published/Copyright: October 16, 2024

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From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 21 Issue 4

Abstract

Objectives

Mazus pumilus (MP) an Asian flowering plant, known for various reported pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and hepatoprotective effects. This study focused on further exploring Mazus pumilus’s methanol leaf extract (MPM) for bioactive principles and investigating its neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing potential in Alzheimer’s disease models.

Methods

For the phytochemical screening and identification, TLC, HPLC, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were employed. In-vitro antioxidant potential was assayed by DPPH Free Radical Scavenging method, followed by in-vivo neuroprotective effect of MPM (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) using Wistar-albino rats, sodium azide for induction of AD and rivastigmine as standard. Over 21 days, we observed neurobehavioral changes and performed biochemical (GSH, CAT, SOD, and AchE activity) and histopathological evaluations.

Results

Results revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, terpenoids, glycosides, sterols, and saponins. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of gallic acids, sinapic acid, and caffeic acid. DPPH confirmed the antioxidant effect of MPM, which served as a base for its potential neuroprotective activity. Biochemically, oxidative stress markers improved significantly post-treatment, with decreased GSH, SOD, CAT levels, and increased AchE activity, indicating a reversal of AD-induced changes. Behavioral assessments showed improvements in locomotion, memory, spatial learning, and cognition. Histologically, there was a dose-dependent reduction in neurodegenerative features like neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta plaques.

Conclusions

Hence, this study concluded MPM is a promising candidate for prophylaxis and treatment of behavioral deficits and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; sodium azide; antioxidants; acetylcholine esterase; Mazus pumilus ; neuroprotection

Muhammad Rashad, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; and Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Dei Vestini 31, 66100, Chieti, Italy, E-mail: muhammad.rashad@unich.it

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, and Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia University Bahawalpur, for providing the research facilities for the completion of this project.

Research ethics: The experimental protocol was in accordance with the guidelines for use of laboratory animals 8th edition and thereby, approved by the Institutional Review Board-GC University, Faisalabad (IRB No 864 and study number 19864).
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
Research funding: None declared.
Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Muhammad Rashad, upon reasonable request.

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Received: 2024-07-03

Accepted: 2024-09-27

Published Online: 2024-10-16

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2024-0231

Keywords for this article

Alzheimer’s disease; sodium azide; antioxidants; acetylcholine esterase; Mazus pumilus; neuroprotection