In vivo Acetylcholinesterase activity and Antioxidant property of Cucurbita pepo ethanolic extract in Alzheimer’s disease induced by Aluminium chloride in Sprague Dawley rat model

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) typically begins before symptoms manifest. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow down the disease progression and improve the prognosis. Decreased acetylcholine, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids enhance the progression of AD. Phytochemicals present in the Cucurbita pepo (C. pepo) plants may have anti-cholinesterase activity. Therefore, this study was performed using ethanolic extract of pumpkin seeds in the AlCl₃ induced AD in Sprague Dawley rats. These rats were categorized into five groups, i.e., control, disease control (AlCl₃), standard (Rivastigmine), and two treatment groups, one with 100mg/kg and the other with 200mg/kg of the pumpkin seed extract which was given once daily orally for 28days. The rats were assessed for behavioral and biochemical parameters such as antioxidant enzymes and acetyl-cholinesterase levels in brain homogenate. There was statistically significant (p<0.005) improvement in behavioral parameters and increase antioxidant levels and decrease acetylcholinesterase levels in the seed extract treatment groups compared to the AD rats. GC-MS analysis of C.pepo seeds showed the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a significant role in neurite outgrowth activity. To conclude, the 80% ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seeds) has anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity and can prevent memory impairment.