ABUTH Pharma Journal (2026) · 2026
Abdulazeez et. al
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and neuronal dysfunction associated with oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hyperactivity. Despite existing therapies, effective neuroprotective agents with fewer adverse effects remain limited. Momordica foetida (Cucurbitaceae), widely used in African traditional medicine, possesses antioxidant and antidepressant properties that may confer neuroprotection. Objectives: This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Momordica foetida ethanol leaf extract against aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced Alzheimer's like neurodegeneration in Wistar rats. Methods: The ethanol leaf extract of Momordica foetida was prepared using maceration method. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control (Normal saline), AlCl3 (untreated), standard (Donepezil 1 mg/kg), and extract-treated groups (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg). AD was induced with AlCl3 (17 mg/kg/day) for four weeks, followed by behavioral (Y-maze), biochemical (AChE activity, oxidative stress biomarkers), and histopathological evaluations. Results: The extract significantly (p <0.05) improved memory indices, reduced MDA levels, restored SOD, CAT, and GSH activities, and lowered hippocampal AChE activity compared to the AlCl3 group. Histopathological analysis revealed neuronal preservation in extract-treated rats. Conclusion: Momordica foetida demonstrated significant neuroprotective potential against AlCl3 induced Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration, supporting its ethnomedicinal use and providing a foundation for future drug development.
Volume: Vol. 2
Issue: No. 1
Year: 2026
Alzheimer's disease involves oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hyperactivity, but current drugs only offer symptomatic relief with notable side effects. Momordica foetida, used in African traditional medicine, has known antioxidant properties that may offer neuroprotection.
Thirty Wistar rats were divided into six groups — control, untreated AlCl3, Donepezil-treated, and three doses of M. foetida ethanol leaf extract (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg) — with Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration induced by aluminium chloride over four weeks, followed by Y-maze memory testing, oxidative stress biomarkers, AChE activity, and hippocampal histopathology.
The extract significantly (p<0.05) improved memory performance, reduced MDA (oxidative damage) levels, restored SOD, CAT, and GSH antioxidant activity, and lowered AChE activity compared to the untreated AlCl3 group. Histopathology showed preserved hippocampal neurons in extract-treated rats, comparable to the Donepezil group at higher doses.
Momordica foetida showed significant neuroprotective potential against AlCl3-induced Alzheimer's-like neurodegeneration, supporting its traditional use and warranting further drug-development research.