Evaluation of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts against Neuroinflammation Characterizing Alzheimer's Disease in Experimental Rat Model

The main purpose of the present study is to evaluate the role of Salvia triloba L.f. and Ruta graveolens L. extracts in management of neuroinflammatory insults characteristic for Alzheimer's disease in rat model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were classified into five groups: (1), control group; (2), AD group which was orally administered with aluminum chloride in a dose of 17mg/kg b. wt. daily for one month; (3), AD group which was treated with rivastigmine in a dose of 0.3mg/kg b. wt. daily for three months; (4), AD group which was treated with total extract of the aerial part of Salvia triloba daily for three months and (5), AD group which was treated with total extract of the aerial part of Ruta graveolens daily for three months. Serum Ach and brain AchE activity, Bcl2, NF-κB, and CRP were estimated. Histological investigations of brain sections of all studied groups were also carried out. The results showed that administration of AlCl3 resulted in significant elevation in AchE, NF-κB and CRP levels accompanied with significant depletion in Ach and Bcl2 levels. Histological investigations of the brain of rats administered AlCl₃ showed the appearance of amyloid plaques characterizing AD. While, treatment of rats with the extracts caused marked improvement in the measured biochemical parameters as well as in the histological features of the brain. In conclusion, Salvia triloba and Ruta graveolens have a potent anti-inflammatory effect against neuroinflammation characterizing Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Salvia triloba, Ruta graveolens, anti-inflammatory, Rat