Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND NEUROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF MIMUSOPS ELENGI FRUIT PULP EXTRACT AGAINST ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE-INDUCED COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN WISTAR RATS

YVSSSRB Srikara Sarma, *Mrs. K. Shailaja

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer’s disease involves progressive memory loss and cognitive decline, with oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction, inflammation, amyloid-β, tau, and synaptic abnormalities contributing to its pathogenesis. This study characterized Mimusops elengi fruit pulp extract and assessed its effects on AlCl₃-induced cognitive dysfunction in Wistar rats. Fruit pulp was extracted with 70% ethanol and evaluated physicochemically, phytochemically, and by HPLC. Rats received AlCl₃ (100 mg/kg, 28 days) and were assigned to control, donepezil (2.5 mg/kg), or extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) groups. Cognition was tested using the Morris Water Maze, Y-Maze, and Elevated Plus Maze. The extract yield was 16.50% w/w. Screening detected multiple phytochemical classes; HPLC identified gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, and lupeol. The extract improved water-maze performance and memory retention, with stronger effects at 400 mg/kg. Y-Maze alternation rose from 38.72% in disease controls to 64.17%. Swimming speed was unchanged. These findings suggest cognitive benefits, warranting further mechanistic studies.

Keywords: Mimusops elengi; Alzheimer’s disease; AlCl?; neuroprotection; cognitive dysfunction; HPLC; MWM; Y-Maze; EPM.