EVALUATION OF ANTI-ALZHEIMER’S ACTIVITY OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF HYLOCEREUS UNDATUS FRUITS IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease associated with memory depletion and mild cognitive dysfunction, leading to dementia. Today’s world attempts to treat various ailments have increased with medical advancements. There is still considerable research into medications capable of preventing or at least effectively altering the trajectory of AD. Medicinal plants play a major role in Alzheimer’s and memory loss control. Ayurveda, homeopathy, Siddha & Unani medicine systems are the main conventional therapeutic approaches. In animal studies, AD caused by chemical compounds may be helpful in deeper understanding the mechanism of disease and AD treatment. The anticholinergic drug Scopolamine induces amnesia in rodents. In the present study, the efficacy of an Extract of Hylocereus undatus (HUFE) was evaluated against scopolamine-induced Alzheimer in the Wistar albino rat. Donepezil at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg, HUFE was given in rat at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight, and 300 mg/kg body weight. The anti-Alzheimer activity was assessed by Morris water maze, novel object recognition test, and Y-maze. And by a biochemical test like neurotransmitter Acetylcholinesterase activity, catalase activity, malonyl dialdehyde, and Nitric oxide assays. Results showed that extracts treatment prevents Alzheimer and increases the level of acetylcholine, catalase and phytochemical studies identified the presence of Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids in the HUFE. According to the results, it was concluded that the fruits of Hylocereus undatus has significant anti-Alzheimer activity due to the presence of potent antioxidants such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids.