Neuroprotective effect of Acorus calamus Linn on astrocytes in subgranular zone of dentate gyrus in Hippocampus

Abstract

Stress of any kind is the major causative factor for various diseases. Of late a drug molecule that can combat stress, increase the antioxidant level, and reduce the cellular level damage will be needed. This study aimed to reveal the neuroprotective effect of the plant Acorus calamus linn (ACL).  Methodology Hence, the current study a total of 24 Male Wistar albino rats, and 4 groups (n= 6) animals. Control: received Dimethyl Sulphoxide (1ml/kg/p.o/day). Stress: received Dimethyl Sulphoxide ((1ml/kg/p.o/day) and subjected to restraint stress, (6hr daily). EE-ACL: Animals Received Ethanolic extract of ACL (100mg/kg/p.o/day). A-Asarone: received alpha-asarone (9mg/kg/p.o/day) half an hour before subjecting to restraint stress for 21 days. The results showed that the rats treated with EE-ACL and alpha-asarone before stress showed significantly healthy performance in the Y maze test and corticosterone level. The drug-treated group maintained a number of neurons similar to the control group in toluidine blue staining and Glial fibrillic acidic protein immunoreactivity showed newly proliferated astrocytes which appeared as star-shaped cells and the fibers were thin with a regular course in drug-treated groups. Conclusion: The results positively suggest that phytochemicals in the ACL may be reversing the stress-induced changes by suppressing neuroinflammation and promoting cognitive performance.