Benincasa Hispida Reversed D-galactose-induced oxidative Stress And Neurodegeneration-Mediated Cognitive Impairment In Aged Rats.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Age-related cognitive impairment is a common issue that is frequently brought on by oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in the brain. D-gal is a sugar moiety that has been linked to aging and cognitive disorders. This disease's prevalence is expected to rise linearly by 2050. Material & methods: Benincasa hispida, commonly known as wax gourd or winter melon, is a widely consumed vegetable with various medicinal properties. it belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. This study evaluates the neuroprotective role of a hydro-ethanolic seed extract of Benincasa hispida(BH) against D-gal-induced aging in rats. Healthy male rats were divided into six groups: The control group received normal saline, donepezil (2 mg/kg b.w.t., i.p.); D-gal (300 mg/kg b.w.t., i.p.); D-gal +BH (150 mg/kg b.w.t., o.p.); D-gal BH (250 mg/kg b.w.t., o.p.); and D-gal BH (300 mg/kg b.wt. Results and discussion: Behavioural, brain biochemical, and histopathological changes were assessed after treatment. The results of the behavioral study depicted that D-gal significantly reduces spontaneous alternation and locomotor activity, indicating behavioral and cognitive impairment. Biochemical studies showed that D-gal significantly increases oxidative stress in rat brains. Histopathological study showed that D-gal disturbs the normal architecture of hippocampal and cortical cells, indicating degeneration in these brain areas. D-gal and BH co-treatment for 42 days attenuated the behavioral, biochemical, and neuroanatomic damages caused by D-gal; it markedly suppressed the D-gal-induced oxidative stress and AChE activity in the brain and maintained the normal cellular architecture in hippocampal and cortical areas. Conclusion: Thus, this study shows that BH can protect the brain from the adverse effects of D-gal (e.g., memory loss and cognitive impairment) by modulating oxidative stress.