¹Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, JKK Munirajah Medical Research Foundation, Annai Sampoorani Ammal College of Pharmacy, Komarapalayam – 638138, Nammakkal, India
²Department of Pharmacology, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai - 600052, India DOI : 10.29228/jrp.426 This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex linnleaf (EEPML) in 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) induced neurodegeneration in a Sprague Dawley rat model. EEPML at a dose of 200 and 400mg/kg was given orally to desired group of animals for a period of 14 days. Neurodegeneration was induced by administering 3-Nitropropionic acid (10 mg/kg/i.p) on 14th day. Two hours after drug administration on 14th day of drug treatment, parameters such as in vitro anticholinesterase activity, DPPH Radical Scavenging Activity, behavioural test for memory and learning (Rotarod test, Open field test), Acetylcholine (ACh) content, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in brain homogenate were analysed. EEPML at both doses, i.e., 200 and 400 mg/kg, decreased the acetylcholinesterase in neurodegenerated rats. The EEPML 400 mg/kg/i.p had more pronounced effect on memory, learning test and motor coordination. The EEPML also decreased the body weight of neurodegenerated animals. Acetylcholine was found to be decreased in untreated neurodegenerated rats due to neuronal inflammation. The EEPML at both doses increased the acetylcholine level in neurodegenerated rats. Modulation of Acetylcholine level by the EEPML is related with its potential anti-oxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Keywords : Acetylcholinesterase; Pedalium murex Linn; superoxide dismutase; Huntington’s disease