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.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.