Sausage tree (Kigelia africana) flavonoid extract is neuroprotective in AlCl3-induced experimental Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a developmental neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective treatment or cure at present. In this study, the neuroprotective properties of a methanol extract of the leaves of Kigelia africana (KAE) and its flavonoid-rich fraction (FKAE) in aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 )-induced experimental AD was evaluated. Symptoms mimicking AD were induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by administering 17mg/kg AlCl 3 , orally, for six consecutive weeks. Pretreatment of animals with 50 and 100mg/kg KAE or FKAE for two weeks, followed by their co-administration with AlCl 3 for a further four weeks ameliorated neurological deficits, cerebral oxidative stress, neurochemical disturbances and histoarchitectural alterations caused by AlCl 3 intoxication. The results suggest that KAE and FKAE are promising therapeutic agents for AD.