Abstract

ANTI-CHOLINERGIC ACTIVITY OF ERIODICTYOL AGAINST CUPRIZONE INDUCED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: AN IN VIVO STUDY

B. Monika and P. Jacob Doss*

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Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (Central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (Myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves. MS is a chronic and disabling disease that usually starts in young adulthood and is 2-3 times more common in women than men. Since long term usage of medications cause high incidence of pharmacoresistence and untoward side effects, attention has been paid in recent years to screen bioactive compounds from natural medicinal plants for treatment of several neurological disorders including MS. Keeping in view of relative importance of natural medicinal plants, the present study is mainly focused to characterize the anti-multiple sclerosis effect of Celastrus paniculatus (CP), an Indian herb which is being extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments related to neurological complications. The present study is designed to assess the neurotoxicity of cuprizone (CPZ), MS induced compound, with particular reference to Cholinergic system in different brain regions (Cerebral cortex, Cerebellum and Hippocampus) of rat to explore the possible protective effect of eriodictyol of CP in comparison with Cyclosporin A (Csp A) (Reference control). The activity levels of Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) were increased in different regions of brain during CPZ induced MS which were decreased in MS rats pretreated with bioactive factor of CP. In addition, Acetylcholine (ACh), content was decreased during CPZ induced MS when compared with normal control and levels were reversed on pretreatment with eriodictyol of CP. Recoveries of these parameters during anti- multiple sclerosis treatment suggest that the bioactive factor of CP offer neuroprotection by interrupting the pathological cascades that occurs during MS.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Cuprizone, Celastrus paniculatus, Eriodictyol, Ach system.