TO EVALUATE THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MURRAYA KOENIGII EXTRACT AGAINST SODIUM ARSENITE-INDUCED COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Background: Arsenic is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant that can cause neurotoxicity and impairment in cognitive function by generating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and damage to neurons. The inorganic form, the highly toxic Sodium arsenite, has been known to exert detrimental effects on learning and memory functions of experimental animals. The natural products with anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties have been found as promising agents against arsenic-induced neurotoxicity. Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) is one of the medicinal plants, characterized by the presence of carbazole alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which are reported to possess potent antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. Methods: Cognitive dysfunction was induced by giving sodium arsenite treatment to the Swiss albino mice. The neuroprotective activity of the extract of Murraya koenigii was tested by behavioural parameters for testing learning and memory. The biochemical estimation of oxidative stress parameters and endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities was carried out. Results: The treatment of Sodium arsenite showed impaired learning and memory functions and increased the levels of oxidative stress markers and neuronal damage in mice. Administration of Murraya koenigii Extract to sodium arsenite treated mice reversed the deficits in cognitive behaviour, and also significantly attenuated the markers of oxidative stress and improved the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The extract showed significant neuroprotective activity against arsenic-induced cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion: Murraya koenigii extract exhibited significant protection against sodium arsenite-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice, mediated possibly through its antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. This study suggests that Murraya koenigii could serve as a potential natural agent for the treatment of arsenic-induced neurotoxicity and cognitive impairments.