Effect of Manasamitra vatakam, an Ayurvedic Formulation, on Aluminium-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Manasamitra vatakam (MMV), an Ayurvedic formulation, on aluminium (Al)-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were selected for the present study and were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group I (control) received tap water while group II received aluminium chloride (AlCl3, 100 mg/kg/day). Group III was treated with concurrently Al chloride (100 mg/kg/day) and MMV drug (100 mg/kg /day). Group IV were administered MMV (100 mg/kg/day) for 90 days. Behavioral tests were performed on the rats during the experiment. At the end of the experiment various biochemical, neurochemical and histopathological histopathological was assessments were also carried out on the blood and brain of the rats. Results: Following MMV treatment, there was a significant recovery in the performance of the radial maze and muscle grip strength of the rats, as well as the levels of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and acetylcholinestrase (AChE) in different parts of the rat’s brain. The neuroprotective efficacy of MMV was supported by histopathological observations. Furthermore, MMV afforded protection against oxidative damage in the rats. Conclusion: MMV prevents Al-induced toxicity in peripheral as well as in central nervous systems of rats. Therefore, further studies are required to ascertain its usefulness in humans.