Cassia tora extract alleviates Aβ1–42 aggregation processes in vitro and protects against aluminium‐induced neurodegeneration in rats

OBJECTIVES: To examine the ability of Cassia tora extract to produce, in vitro and in vivo, beneficial effects with respect to events occurring during Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Previously characterised methanol extract of C. tora was tested for its ability to lessen Aβ42 aggregation processes in vitro and to alleviate aluminium-induced impairments in vivo in rats. KEY FINDINGS: Cassia tora extract prevents the aggregation of monomeric, oligomeric and fibrillary Aβ1-42 in vitro. Moreover, the daily ingestion of 100 and 400 milligrams of the extract per kilogram of body weight for 60 days ameliorates the neurobehavioral and cognitive abilities of aluminium-treated rats in vivo. Importantly, treatments with the extract trigger a significant recovery of antioxidant enzymes function, a diminution of lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase activity, a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and an increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in both the hippocampus and the frontal cortex. Finally, we evidence that the extract is able to ameliorate the aluminium-dependent loss of neuronal integrity in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results reveal that methanol extract of C. tora is able to prevent typical AD-related events and therefore stands as a promising mild and natural anti-AD multitarget compound.