Synergistic neuroprotection by phytocompounds of Bacopa monnieri in scopolamine-induced Alzheimer's disease mice model

Mol Biol Rep. 2023 Oct;50(10):7967-7979. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08674-0. Epub 2023 Aug 3.

Abstract

Background: Millions of people around the globe are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). This crippling condition has no treatment despite intensive studies. Some phytocompounds have been shown to protect against Alzheimer's in recent studies.

Methods: Thus, this work aimed to examine Bacopa monnieri phytocompounds' synergistic effects on neurodegeneration, antioxidant activity, and cognition in the scopolamine-induced AD mice model. The toxicity study of two phytocompounds: quercetin and bacopaside X revealed an LD50 of more than 2000 mg/kg since no deaths occurred.

Results: The neuroprotection experiment consists of 6 groups i.e., control (saline), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), donepezil (5 mg/kg), Q (25 mg/kg), BX (20 mg/kg), and Q + BX (25 mg/kg + 20 mg/kg). Visual behavioral assessment using the Morris water maze showed that animals in the diseased model group (scopolamine) moved more slowly toward the platform and exhibited greater thigmotaxis behavior than the treatment and control groups. Likewise, the concentration of biochemical NO, GSH, and MDA improved in treatment groups concerning the diseased group. mRNA levels of different marker genes including ChAT, IL-1α, IL-1 β, TNF α, tau, and β secretase (BACE1) improved in treatment groups with respect to the disease group.

Conclusion: Both bacopaside X and quercetin synergistically have shown promising results in neuroprotection. Therefore, it is suggested that Q and BX may work synergistically due to their antioxidant and neuroprotective property.

Keywords: Alzheimer disease; Bacopaside X; Neuroprotection; Quercetin; Synergistic effect.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease* / chemically induced
  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • Bacopa* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Maze Learning
  • Mice
  • Neuroprotection
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Quercetin / pharmacology
  • Quercetin / therapeutic use
  • Scopolamine / pharmacology
  • Scopolamine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • bacopaside X
  • Scopolamine
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Quercetin
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • Antioxidants