Evaluation of neuroprotective effects of Canna indica L against aluminium chloride induced memory impairment in rats

Memory disorders are the progressive neurological disorder, mainly causing dementia, memory loss and cognitive dysfunctions. The current study is aimed to experimentally validate the crude extract of Canna indica aerial parts (CIA) and root (CIR) against aluminium chloride induced altered memory in rats. Initially, methanolic extract of CIA, hydroalcoholic extract of CIR, and their combination of CIA + CIR were screened for Invitro antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) assays, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory assay and were also screened for their memory enhancing activity by in-vivo models such as elevated plus maze (EPM), morris water maze (MWM), cooks pole climb (CPC), Actophotometer, novel object recognition (NOR), and T-maze. Aluminium chloride (AlCl(3)) (17 mg/kg/day p.o.) for 21 days, was used as an Alzheimer’s disease inducing agent and Donepezil (AChE inhibitor) as a standard treatment agent. The AChE, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were significantly increased, and glutathione (GSH), total protein (TP), catalase (CAT), and Dopamine were decreased only in AlCl(3) treated rats and treatment with CIA 200 mg/kg and CIA + CIR 200 mg/kg significantly reversed these mechanisms.Histopathology of cortex and hippocampus was examined at 40× magnification, indicating maintain of integrity and architecture of CA1 and CA3 neuronal cells compared to control and standard groups. The in vivo studies of interospective and exteroceptive behavior models (EPM), MWM, CPC, Actophotometer, NOR, T-maze revealed that AlCl(3) administration enhanced transfer latency (TL), escape latency time (ELT) and decreases locomotion, discriminatory index, and percentage alternation respectively. However, treatment with CIA and CIA + CIR 200 mg/kg highly significantly reversed the pathological changes of disease, extracts of Canna indica of both root and aerial parts phyto constituents are rich in flavonoids, phlobatannins, anthocyanin pigments, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids etc. Which will decipher the acetylcholinestrase inhibitory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, will ameliorate the pathological state of Alzheimer disease. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13596-021-00627-x.