Abstract
Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is more prevalent in the elderly. There is extensive literature on using Acacia species against central nervous system disorders, although Acacia stenophylla has not been investigated for any neuroprotective potential. The purpose of the study was to elucidate the ameliorative effect of ethyl acetate (ASEE) and butanol (ASB) extracts from the bark of A. stenophylla on memory deficits and cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine- or diazepam-induced amnesia in mice.
Methods
The phytochemical constituents of the extracts of A. stenophylla were determined by GC-MS and the in vitro anticholinesterase plus antioxidant activities were also evaluated. Anti-amnesic effects were determined employing the open field test, elevated plus maze (EPM), Morris water maze (MWM), and Y-maze paradigms.
Results
The in vitro cholinesterase assays disclosed a concentration-dependent inhibition of both AChE and BuChE with IC50 values of 28.48 and 44.86 µg/mL for the ASEE extract and 32.04 and 50.26 µg/mL for the ASB extract against AChE and BuChE respectively. DPPH and H2O2 antioxidant assays revealed respective IC50 values for the ASEE extract of 28.04 and 59.84 µg/mL, plus 32.77 and 64.65 µg/mL for ASB extract. The findings revealed that both extracts possessed substantial antioxidant properties. Furthermore, these fractions restored scopolamine- and diazepam-induced memory deficits in a dose-dependent manner, as observed by a significant decrease in the transfer latency in EPM, reduction in escape latency, added time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM, and elevated spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) in the Y-maze test.
Conclusion
The ameliorative effect of A. stenophylla on scopolamine- and diazepam-induced amnesia can be attributed to antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity. Consequently, the use of A. stenophylla might be exploited in the alleviation of oxidative stress and the management of AD.
Data Sharing Statement
All the data has been either included in the manuscript.
Ethics Statement
Institutional Review Board Statement: The experimental procedures on animals were performed under the approval of Ethics Committee of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar (registration number: 12/EC-17/Pharm). The experimental procedures on animals were performed according to with the relevant guidelines and regulations of the United Kingdom Animals (Scientific procedures) Act 1986.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, and the Department of Botany, Islamic college University Peshawar, for providing the facilities necessary to conduct this research. Yusuf S. Althobaiti was supported by Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/78), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. Fahad S Alshehri would like to thank the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University for supporting this work by grant code (22UQU4310453DSR04).
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
All the authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this work.