Ogunlade Babatunde
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia related to neuropathologicaland neurobehavioral changes. This study is aimed at evaluating the neuroprotective activities of sulforaphane on aluminum chloride induced Alzheimer’s disease in wistar rats. Twenty -eight male wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=7). Group A (control) received normal saline solution orally; Group B received 200 mg/kgbw of Aluminum chloride orally; Group C received 200 mg/kgbw of sulforaphane and 200 mg/kgbw of Aluminum chloride orally, while Group D received 200 mg/kgbw of sulforaphane alone orally. The experiment lasted for 45 days after which behavioural test (Morris water maze, Y maze, open field test) were conducted, serum was obtained for electrolyte concentration analysis(Na, K, Ca, Zn and Cu) and brain tissues were processed for histology,antioxidant parameters (CAT, GSH, SOD), oxidative stress parameters (MDA, H2O2 and Nitrite Levels), brain monoamine neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Serotonin and Norepinephrine), enzymes activity (AChE and Na-K ATPase).Results showed that Sulforaphane improved learning and memory in rats treated with Sulforaphane and Aluminum chloride compared with Aluminum chloride only group. Also, the Aluminum chloride treated rats showed decreased SOD, CAT and GSH activitiesas opposed to the sulforaphane treated group with improved antioxidant enzymes level. Furthermore, the levels of MDA, H2O2and nitrite in Aluminum chloride group showed significant increase as compared to sulforaphane treated group. In addition, administration of sulforaphane with Aluminum chloride improved the monoamine neurotransmitters, brain enzymes activities, serum electrolyte concentration and protects hippocampal histomorphology when compared with Aluminum chloride only group. In conclusion, Sulforaphane ameliorates the neurotoxic effects of alumimum induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease by improving memory and learning skills, alleviating the neurological disorders thereby acting as powerful antioxidant.