The Potential Neuroprotective Effect of <i>Cyperus esculentus</i> L. Extract in Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Rats: Extensive Biological and Metabolomics Approaches
Marwa M. Saeed,
Álvaro Fernández-Ochoa,
Fatema R. Saber,
Rabab H. Sayed,
María de la Luz Cádiz-Gurrea,
Amira K. Elmotayam,
Francisco Javier Leyva-Jiménez,
Antonio Segura-Carretero,
Rania I. Nadeem
Affiliations
Marwa M. Saeed
Lecturer of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
Álvaro Fernández-Ochoa
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Fatema R. Saber
Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
Rabab H. Sayed
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
María de la Luz Cádiz-Gurrea
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Amira K. Elmotayam
Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
Francisco Javier Leyva-Jiménez
Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science and Technology, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ronda de Calatrava, 7, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
Antonio Segura-Carretero
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Rania I. Nadeem
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt
The aim of the present study is to investigate the phytochemical composition of tiger nut (TN) (Cyperus esculentus L.) and its neuroprotective potential in scopolamine (Scop)-induced cognitive impairment in rats. The UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis enabled the putative annotation of 88 metabolites, such as saccharides, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Treatment with TN extract restored Scop-induced learning and memory impairments. In parallel, TN extract succeeded in lowering amyloid beta, β-secretase protein expression and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus of rats. TN extract decreased malondialdehyde levels, restored antioxidant levels and reduced proinflammatory cytokines as well as the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Histopathological analysis demonstrated marked neuroprotection in TN-treated groups. In conclusion, the present study reveals that TN extract attenuates Scop-induced memory impairments by diminishing amyloid beta aggregates, as well as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-AChE activities.
