Protective effect of Picrorhiza kurroa on Alzheimer’s disease induced by aluminium chloride in rats

Background: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and behavioural changes. The present work is aimed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa against aluminum chloride induced Alzheimer’s disease.Methods: Wistar rats were selected in this study and were divided into 5 groups (6 each). Group I served as normal control. Group II received aluminum chloride (300mg/kg, P.O.). Group III and IV received ethanolic extract of Picrorhiza kurroa (200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, P.O. respectively) and inducing agent (AlCl3 300mg/kg, P.O.). Group V received rivastigmine (0.3mg/kg, I.P.) and inducing agent (AlCl3 300mg/kg, P.O.). The rats were given respective treatment for 20 days and behavioural parameters were determined on 20th day. After 20th day rats were sacrificed and anti-oxidant parameters, brain acetylcholinesterase content were determined.Results: Oral administration of ethanolic extract of Picrorhiza kurroa at doses 200, 400mg/kg body weight showed improve in behavioural parameters when compared to AlCl3 induced rats, showed increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and decreased levels of malondialdehyde and showed decrease in brain acetylcholinesterase content when compared to AlCl3 induced rats.Conclusions: The study clearly demonstrated the beneficial effects of Picrorhiza kurroa by improving biochemical and behavioural parameters.