Neuroprotective Activity of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. Fruit Extract Against Aluminium Chloride Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice

  Aluminium chloride (AlCl3 ) is a known potent environmental neurotoxin causing progressive neurodegenerative changes in brain. The present study was aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective activity of aqueous extract of fruit rind of Garcinia pedunculata on chronic exposure of aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. Albino mice were categorized into four different groups; Group 1–served as vehicle control, Group 2 mice were administered with AlCl3 40 mg/kg body weight i.p. for 45 consecutive days. Groups 3 & 4 mice were administered with AlCl3 40 mg/kg body weight i.p. for 45 consecutive days along with aqueous extract of fruits of G. pedunculata 200 & 400 mg/kg body weight. Chronic administration of AlCl3 developed behavioral deficits, triggered lipid peroxidation and AChE activity and reduced levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and histological aberrations. Co administration of aqueous extract of G. pedunculata has attenuated the AlCl3 induced alteration in the behavioral, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, AChE and histological changes of brain tissue. Thus the results of the present study have demonstrated the protective role of aqueous extract of fruit rind of G. pedunculata against AlCl3 induced neurotoxicity.