Saraswatarishta reverses neuronal injury in brain tissues of scopolamine-induced rat model

Introduction: Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis or the progression of the variety of acute and chronic neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The Saraswatarishta is an Ayurvedic medicine utilized in many health conditions such as anti-aging, to improve memory, immunity, and quality of semen and sperms to treat epilepsy and cosmetic use for skins. It is a liquid Ayurvedic medicine. Saraswatarishta contains 5%–10% of self-produced alcohol in it, which serves as a vehicle to deliver water- and alcohol-soluble active herbal components to the body. It is also called Sarasvatarishtam. The aim of this study was to find the possible neuroprotective role of Saraswatarishtam as a preventive Ayurveda and Siddha drug to hamper cholinergic dysfunctions and histopathological changes in scopolamine-treated rat model. Material and Methods: The compound Saraswatarishtam was obtained from standard Ayurvedic vendor at Chennai. Group 1 – normal control animals received normal saline for 8 continuous days. Group 2 – positive control treated with scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg). Group 3 – received 200 mg/kg of piracetam for 8 continuous days. Group 4 and Group 5 served as a test and received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of Saraswatarishtam, respectively, for 8 continuous days. On the 8th day, after 90 min of drug administration, Group 2, Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5, were treated with 0.4 mg/kg of scopolamine. Brain tissues were dissected out and analyzed for histopathological changes after sacrifice with high dose of halothane. Results: Administration of scopolamine produced marked focal gliosis with mononuclear infiltration. The hippocampal region showed neuronal degeneration with sclerosis. Piracetam treated group showed pyknotic nucleus in neurons of the cerebral cortex and mild edema. Low dose (200 mg/kg) treatment with Saraswatarishtam followed by scopolamine administration showed moderate histopathological changes such as mild infiltration of monocytes but normal neuronal architecture. High dose (400 mg/kg) treatment with Saraswatarishtam followed by scopolamine administration shows abnormal morphology of cerebrum, cerebellum, basal nuclei, and hippocampus. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that Saraswatarishtam exhibits neuroprotective properties against scopolamine-induced neuronal damage.