Effect of aqueous Salvia officinalis extract on Aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in female rats

The neurotoxicity of Aluminum has been discovered in several experiments. It is a neurotoxic element involved in the etiology of some neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Salvia officinalis aqueous leaf extract (SAE) on the behavioral, histological, and biochemical alterations caused by Aluminum chloride in female Wistar rats. Chronic aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) exposure developed behavioral deficits by decreasing locomotor activity and caused a significant reduction of spontaneous alternation. Besides, AlCl₃ exposure showed a significant decrease in Acetylcholinesterase activity (-54.49%), Catalase activity (-42.48%), and a significant increase in the mean concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to control group. Histological alterations were observed in the brain of aluminum chloride exposed group, which explains the neurodegenerative effect of aluminum on rat brain histology. SAE treatment improved behavioral and histological changes in AlCl₃-induced rats, attenuated biochemical alteration by recording an increase in Acetylcholinesterase activity at 73.68% and enhanced catalase activity by 62.7%, as well as a decrease in the MDA level of -86.81% compared to the AlCl₃ group. The current study demonstrates that Salvia officinalis can be administered as a food additive to protect against the neurotoxicity of AlCl₃ and to ameliorate behavioral and oxidative status.