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Morus Alba Fruit Extract and its Fractions Ameliorate Streptozotocin Induced Cognitive Deficit in Mice via Modulating Oxidative and Cholinergic Systems

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Abstract

Increased oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity are key pathological characters contributing to the memory disorders. Thus, drugs targeting both oxidative stress and AChE are being explored for the management of cognitive dysfunction. Morus alba fruits (commonly consumed for its high nutritious value) are known to have antioxidant and AChE inhibitory effects. However, the role of Morus alba fruits in the management of memory disorders has not reported yet. This investigation was conducted to assess the antioxidant and AChE inhibitory potential of Morus alba fruit extracts in-vitro and to identify the components responsible for such effects. Further, the obtained bioactive component was studied for possible memory improvement effects against streptozotocin (STZ) induced dementia. To isolate the bioactive component in-vitro DPPH and AChE assays guided fractionation was performed. Memory functions in mice were determined using Morris Water Maze test while brain biochemical parameters were measured to understand the mechanism of action. In-vitro assays revealed strong AChE and DPPH inhibitory potential of methanol extract (ME), therefore, it was further fractionated. Among various fractions obtained, ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) was found to possess marked AChE and DPPH inhibitory activities. On subsequent fractionation of EAF, bioactivity of obtained sub-fractions was found to be inferior to EAF. Further, both ME and EAF improved STZ (intracerebroventricular) induced cognitive dysfunction in animals by restoring endogenous antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione) and reducing thiobarbituric acid reactive species and nitric oxide levels along with brain AChE and myeloperoxidase activity. TLC densitometric studies showed appreciable levels of phenolic acids and quercetin in both EAF and ME. It can be concluded that Morus alba fruit extract has the ability to modulate cholinergic and oxidative system due to presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and hence, could aid in the management of memory disorders.

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Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India for providing necessary facilities to complete this paper.

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  1. Chitkara School of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

    Parul Sood

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India

    Parul Sood & Richa Shri

  3. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda, Punjab, India

    Varinder Singh

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P.S. performed the experimental studies, V.S. wrote and edit the manuscript and R.S. conceived the idea and did final review. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Sood, P., Singh, V. & Shri, R. Morus Alba Fruit Extract and its Fractions Ameliorate Streptozotocin Induced Cognitive Deficit in Mice via Modulating Oxidative and Cholinergic Systems. Neurochem Res 49, 52–65 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-023-04009-4

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