Ethanolic extract of Ficus religiosa leaves alleviates aluminum-induced oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and neuroinflammation in rat brain.

Background and aim: Aluminum (Al)-induced neurotoxicity is known to play a pivotal role in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases, and this is alleged to occur through neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This study aimed to determine the effect of Ficus religiosa (FR) leaf extract on oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by Al exposure in the rat brain by estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL6), and total antioxidant (TAO) levels along with the degree of neurodegeneration in the brain of AlCl₃-administered and FR leaf extract-treated rats.

Materials and methods: Two- to three-month-old male albino Wistar rats weighing 250-280 g were used in the present study. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups, with 12 rats in each group. The groups were categorized as control, Al-intoxicated, FR treatment groups of two dosages, FR control rats of two dosages, and FR pre-treatment group.

Results: We observed a substantial increase in the levels of MDA and IL6 along with a decline in the TAO level in Al-intoxicated rats, suggesting increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress, respectively. In the FR-treated animals, MDA as well as IL6 levels was decreased, and TAO was enhanced in addition to improved neuronal architecture, demonstrating the ameliorative effect of FR.

Conclusion: The present study observed a decline in LPO and neuroinflammation in FR-treated rats, demonstrating the protective effect of FR leaves against Al-induced neurotoxicity. The level of TAO also improved along with improvement in neuronal mass in FR-treated rats, adding to its ameliorative effect. However, further elaborate research is needed to confirm its therapeutic potential against inflammation-driven neurodegenerative diseases.