Diosgenin is a neurosteroid derived from the plants and has been previously reported for its numerous health bene cial properties, such as anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic, and antiproliferative effects. Although several studies conducted earlier suggested cognition enhancement actions of diosgenin against neurodegenerative disorders, but the molecular mechanisms underlying are not clearly understood. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of diosgenin in the wistar rats that received an intracerebroventricular injection of Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides, representing a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animals were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o of diosgenin for 28 days, followed by Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides infusion. Animals were assessed for the spatial learning and memory by using radial arm maze and passive avoidance task. Subsequently, animals were euthanized and brains were collected for biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. Our results revealed that, diosgenin administration dose dependently improved the spatial learning and memory and protected the animals from Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides induced disrupted cognitive functions. Further, biochemical analysis showed that diosgenin successfully attenuated Amyloid-β (1-42) mediated plaque load, oxidative stress, neuroin ammation and elevated acetylcholinesterase activity. In addition, histopathological evaluation also supported neuroprotective effects of diosgenin in hippocampus of rat brain when assessed using hematoxylin-eosin and Cresyl Violet staining. Thus, the aforementioned effects suggested protective action of diosgenin against Aβ (1-42) induced neuronal damage and thereby can serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for AD.

Belonging to a phylogenetic genus, Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult (Apocynaceae), commonly known as Anantmula or Indian sarsaparilla, is an indigenous plant of India and Sri Lanka. This popularly ingested aromatic shrub has been served as sharbat (drink) and as a flavouring agent for the preparation of soft drink and as perfumery in cosmetic industry. 10 Apart from consumption as food, H. indicus is an integral part of Ayurveda and Siddha medicinal system and known ABSTRACT Introduction: Exponential expansion in the usage of herbal medicines was observed in recent decades due to the increasing importance of the traditionally used natural remedies. In order to identify bioactive components of medicinal value, in the present study, we aimed to screen different extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult for health beneficial effect by exploring its biological properties and phytochemical profile. Methods: By using sequential extraction method, H. indicus roots were extracted with various solvents based on low to high polarity. Subsequently, quantitative phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities were tested by using standard protocols. The MTT assay was carried out in SHSY-5Y cell lines to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect. Results: Methanol extract displayed highest phytochemical content with high concentration of terpenoid (59.82±0.97 mg LE/g of extract) and saponin (15.03±0.45 mg DE/g of extract). All the extracts exhibited concentration dependent pharmacological activities. In comparison, methanol extract produced highest activities with IC 50 of 15.21±0.31 and 11.36±0.39 μg/ml against NO and DPPH radical scavenging assays respectively. Also, methanol extract showed maximum inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (IC 50 =17.46±0.49 μg/ml) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC 50 =31.05±0.39 μg/ml), however, aqueous extract displayed highest potency against monoamine oxidase-B inhibition (IC 50 =24.60±0.45 μg/ml). At 12.5-100 μg/mL concentrations, methanol and aqueous extracts did not show any cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells and dose dependently suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 production. Conclusion: Collectively, H. indicus could act as a disease modifying therapeutic in pharmaceutical industries by utilizing it as alternative therapy for the management of oxidative stress and its related disorders.

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Diosgenin is a neurosteroid derived from the plants and has been previously reported for its numerous health beneficial properties, such as anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic, and antiproliferative effects. Although several studies conducted earlier suggested cognition enhancement actions of diosgenin against neurodegenerative disorders, but the molecular mechanisms underlying are not clearly understood. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of diosgenin in the wistar rats that received an intracerebroventricular injection of Amyloid-β (1–42) peptides, representing a rodent model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Animals were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o of diosgenin for 28 days, followed by Amyloid-β (1–42) peptides infusion. Animals were assessed for the spatial learning and memory by using radial arm maze and passive avoidance task. Subsequently, animals were euthanized and brains were collected for biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. Our results revealed that, diosgenin administration dose dependently improved the spatial learning and memory and protected the animals from Amyloid-β (1–42) peptides induced disrupted cognitive functions. Further, biochemical analysis showed that diosgenin successfully attenuated Amyloid-β (1–42) mediated plaque load, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and elevated acetylcholinesterase activity. In addition, histopathological evaluation also supported neuroprotective effects of diosgenin in hippocampus of rat brain when assessed using hematoxylin-eosin and Cresyl Violet staining. Thus, the aforementioned effects suggested protective action of diosgenin against Aβ (1–42) induced neuronal damage and thereby can serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for AD.

The complexity of the underlying pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and substandard results of existing treatment, demands persistent research for the development of new therapeutics. As natural antioxidant has attracted considerable attention on this regards, the present study evaluated and validated antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activity of Vernonia anthelmintica seeds. Different extracts were collected after sequential extraction of plant seeds by using pet ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water as solvents. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was tested by using superoxide, nitric oxide (NO) and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assays, whereas, acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibition property was assessed by Ellman’s method. Results revealed that all the extracts produced some degree of both the activities in a concentration-dependent manner. While pet ether extract exhibited weakest, methanolic extract displayed potent radical scavenging and anti-cholinesterase properties in all the assays with IC50 of 159.71 μg/ml against AChE inhibition and 98.51, 120.22 and 170.79 μg/ml against superoxide, NO and DPPH radical scavenging assays respectively. Presence of an array of secondary metabolites with modest flavonoid and phenol content in the methanolic extract is accountable for these desired activities. Collectively, reports from our experiments covey that V. anthelmintica possess significant AChE inhibitory and antioxidant property and thus can be further evaluated in search of potential disease-modifying therapeutic for management of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.