Fisetin potentiates anxiolysis in rat models of aluminium chloride-induced Alzheimer-like disease

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a chronic, irreversible neurological disease that affects brain cells. Aim and Objectives: To investigate the remediatory benefits of fisetin against Aluminum chloride induced anxiogenic and behavioural deficits in adult male Wistar rats. Material and Methods: Thirty-two adult rats with average weight of 170 g were grouped into 8 (1-8), consisting of 4 rats each. Group 1 received -1 ml of PBS, Group 2 received 100 mg/kg body weight of AlCl3, Group 3-25 mg/kg body weight fisetin, Group 4- 50 mg/kg body weight of fisetin, Group 5-75 mg/kg body weight of fisetin, Group 6- 25 mg/kg body weight fisetin + 100 mg/kg body weight of AlCl3, Group 7- 50 mg/kg body weight fisetin + 100 mg/kg body weight of AlCl3 and Group 8-75 mg/kg body weight fisein + 100 mg/kg body weight of AlCl3 orally for 21 days. Histochemical analysis using Congo red stain and neurobehavioural studies were carried out. Results: It showed the inhibitory roles of fisetin against AlCl3 –induced anxiogenic cascades. Significant differences (p< 0.05) in closed and open arm entries were observed across the group compared with control. This showed that rats tarried longer in the maze's closed arm which is indicative of increased levels of anxiety. Fisetin normoregulated the escape period of rats induced with AlCl3 Furthermore, evidences of amyloidsis were seen by increased amyloid substances in neuronal axons and dendrites which corresponded to apoptotic changes observed in the Congo red stain sections. Interestingly, fisetin (50 and 75 mg/kg daily for 14 days) significantly attenuated behavioural deficits in rats by inhibiting cellular stressor proteins activated by AlCl3. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endogenous fisetin may protect against Alzheimer-like disease-related anxiogenesis and behavioural alterations.

Keywords

• aluminum chloride
• alzheimer-like disease
• fisetin