| Ashwagandha mitigates neurodegenerative disease by enhancing antioxidant defense and reducing oxidative stress |
| Paper ID : 1089-ISCH |
| Authors |
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Khaled Mahmoud Alam Eldein * Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of science , Helwan University |
| Abstract |
| Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), are characterized by progressive neuronal loss, oxidative stress, and protein aggregation, primarily driven by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a traditional Ayurvedic herb, has been shown to possess potent neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. This study investigates the effect of Ashwagandha in mitigating neurodegenerative conditions in Wistar rats. Neurodegeneration was induced in rats through exposure to neurotoxic agents, simulating Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s-like conditions. Ashwagandha-treated rats (500 mg/kg daily) demonstrated significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), coupled with a reduction in lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA). Histopathological analysis revealed reduced amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein accumulation, preservation of neuronal integrity, and enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Behavioral improvements, such as enhanced memory and motor function, were also observed. These findings suggest that Ashwagandha enhances antioxidant defenses and protects against neuronal damage, offering a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like AD and PD by mitigating oxidative stress and protein aggregation. |
| Keywords |
| Ashwagandha, Neurodegenerative, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |