Yacon leaf extract supplementation demonstrates neuroprotective effect against memory deficit related to β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity

[Display omitted] •Leaf extract of yacon attenuates the memory deficit caused by β-amyloid.•Yacon reduces oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rats with beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity.•Yacon is rich in phenolic compounds. Yacon is an Andean plant used as food and medicine; it is rich in phenolic compounds with several activities described. Thus, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of the leaves and roots of yacon in β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Wistar male rats were supplemented with extracts of the leaves or roots of yacon for 14 d before intra-hippocampal injection with 2 μL of Aβ-25–35. The groups were submitted to memory tests and euthanized, and oxidative stress parameters (hippocampus) and biochemical parameters (serum) were analyzed using classical methodologies. Yacon leaf and root extract supplementation decreased oxidative stress and damage in the hippocampus of Alzheimer-like disease (AD-like), but only the leaf extract prevented Aβ-induced memory deficits. The leaf presents more effective neuroprotection than the root and appears to be a likely candidate for future use in the prevention and/or treatment of AD, however further studies are needed to prove this hypothesis.