Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.’s Toxicity Profile and Neuroprotective Effects in Mice with Memory Impairment Triggered by Scopolamine

Aim: The present study aims to investigate the toxicity profile and neuroprotective effect of ethanol crude extract of Aristolochia bracteolata (EEAB) leaves in mice.

Materials and Methods: EEAB was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. To determine the toxicity profile in Swiss albino mice, acute and subchronic toxicity experiments were performed according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development criteria. A behavioral test in mice with drug-induced learning and memory impairment was performed to determine neuroprotective effects.

Results: In the study GC–MS, 19 compounds were detected. Compared to the control group, no clinical signs of toxicity were detected in the plant-treated group in both the acute and subchronic toxicity experiments at the highest dose of 2,000 mg/ kg. It was calculated that the mean oral lethal dose (LD50) > was 2,000 mg/kg. Scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice were greatly reduced after pretreatment with the EEAB at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. This was demonstrated by the reversal of the improvement in spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze task and by the significant improvement in latency in the passive avoidance task.

Conclusion: Based on the results, EEAB might contain potent secondary metabolites that would primarily enhance the neuroprotective effects and cognitive deficits induced by cholinergic dysfunction.