Chemical characterization, neuroprotective effect, and in-silico evaluation of the petroleum ether extract of three palm tree species against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rats
Fatma A. Moharram,
Fadila M. Hamed,
Elsayed K. El-Sayed,
Shimaa K. Mohamed,
Asmaa A. Ahmed,
Sabah H. Elgayed,
Mohammed Abdelrazek,
Kuei-Hung Lai,
Yara E. Mansour,
Mohamed S. Mady,
Heba E. Elsayed
Affiliations
Fatma A. Moharram
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Fadila M. Hamed
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, 6th of October City, Giza, 12585, Egypt
Elsayed K. El-Sayed
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Shimaa K. Mohamed
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Asmaa A. Ahmed
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Sabah H. Elgayed
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, 6th of October City, Giza, 12585, Egypt; Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
Mohammed Abdelrazek
Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Kuei-Hung Lai
Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; PhD Program in Clinical Drug Development of Herbal Medicine, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; Corresponding author. Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.:
Yara E. Mansour
Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Mohamed S. Mady
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
Heba E. Elsayed
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, 11795, Egypt
The burden of neurological disorders is growing substantially with limited therapeutic options, urging the consideration and assessment of alternative strategies. In this regard, we aimed to elucidate the phytochemical profile of the petroleum ether extract (PEE) of three palm tree species: Aiphanes eggersii Burret, Carpoxylon macrospermum H. Wendl. & Drude, and Jubaeopsis caffra Becc. (Family Arecaceae), and to evaluate their neuroprotective effect in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced excitotoxicity model for the first time. We identified a total of 48, 18, and 45 compounds in A. eggersii, C. macrospermum, and J. caffra, constituting 79.41 %, 60.45 %, and 76.35 % of the total detected compounds, respectively. A. eggersii extract was rich in the methyl esters of fatty acids (65.08 %) especially methyl dodecanoate (17.72 %). C. macrospermum was exclusively prolific by the triterpene 3β-methoxy-d:c-friedo-b’:a'-neogammacer-9(11)-ene (40.36 %), while J. caffra was noticeable by hydrocarbons (30.14 %) and lupeol derivatives (19.79 %). The biochemical and histopathological analysis showed that the tested extracts significantly reduced the oxidative stress, especially at the highest tested dose (1000 mg/kg). The extracts also reduced the activity of induced nitric oxide synthetase, Ca+2 level, and NR2B subunit expression and attenuated apoptosis and DNA damage. The docking results show that most active natural compounds bind to SOD-1 and NR2B-NMDARs, verifying the credibility of the biological findings. To sum up, the PEE of the three investigated palm tree species possessed a unique blend of lipophilic bioactive constituents that exert promising neuroprotective potential against MSG-induced excitoneurotoxicity. However, further preclinical investigation and pharmaceutical formulation are needed.
