Evaluation of Neuroprotective effect of Cassia occidentalis L. against
Colchicine Induced Memory Impairment in Wistar Rats
Authors: Jadhav Devika , Saraswat Nikita , Vyawahare Neeraj , Shirode Devendra 
Published: December 2023

Background:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that develops with aging.

Objective:
In this research, we have examined the anti - Alzheimer’s effect of ethanolic extract from roots of Cassia occidentalis L. on colchicine-induced Alzheimer’s in Wistar rats

Methods:
Ethanolic extract was obtained and spectroscopic, chromatography analysis was performed. Acute toxicity studies using Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 423 were performed to examine and make sure that there were no signs of toxic effects. The induction of AD was done using
colchicine which leads to symptoms like neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. In this experiment, a thorough analysis of body weight, behavioral parameters, locomotor activity, and biochemical evaluation
was performed to estimate the medicinal properties of Cassia occidentalis L in treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Results:
Pharmacognostic analysis showed the presence of vascular bundles, starch grains, fibers, calcium oxalate
crystals, elongated parenchyma, and collenchyma mucilage as shown in the supplementary files. Locomotor activity, Escape latency time, Conditioned avoidance response, and Transfer latency were improved with treatment. Interleukin- 6 (IL - 6) levels were reduced significantly in the Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg group (739.2 ± 0.37
pg/ml) than in the Colchicine Group (850.6±0.40 pg/ml). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was decreased in the
Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (1030.93±0.51 pg/ml) than in the Colchicine Group (1455.06±1.25 pg/ml).
A significant decrease in total protein level was observed in the Colchicine Group (2.52±0.10 mg/ml), (3.33±0.90
mg/ml) as compared to Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (5.27±0.09 mg/ml, (5.01±0.10 mg/ml) respectively,
in the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex. The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Catalase (CAT), Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), Reduced glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. When
compared to the Colchicine Group (7.33±0.16 nM/ mg, the MDA level was lower in the Colchicine + 100 Cassia
mg/kg Group (3.20±0.01 nM/ mg). The level of CAT in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (7.01±0.03 μmoles
of H2O2/mg of protein) was seen to be increased when compared to Colchicine Group (3.32 ± 0.17 μmoles of
H2O2/mg of protein). The level of SOD in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (7.43±0.02 U mg -1 of protein)
was seen to be increased when compared with Colchicine Group (4.55±0.03 U mg -1 of protein). The level of
GSH in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (10.07±0.19 nM/mg -1 of protein) was increased when compared
with the Colchicine Group (5.82±0.11nM/mg -1 of protein).
Histopathology of the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex showed diminished amyloid plaques, and neurodegeneration in the treatment groups

Conclusion:
The present study showed that ethanolic extract from the roots of Cassia occidentalis L. At 100 and
200 mg/kg doses in Wistar rats improved memory damage, by reducing oxidative stress. Levels of the antioxidant
enzymes as CAT, and SOD, GSH were increased and MDA was decreased. The cytokine levels in the serum of
Wistar rats of IL-6 level and TNF-α level were reduced significantly. Estimation of total protein level was found to
be increased. It restored neuronal degeneration in the Hippocampus, and Entorhinal cortex and reduced oxidative
stress. This suggests that the ethanolic extract of Cassia occidentalis L. could be an effective therapeutic treatment
for neurodegenerative diseases like AD.