Etude de l’effet neurothérapeutique du fruit dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L.) sur un modèle de maladie neurodégénérative (Alzheimer) -Etude in vivo-

Abstract

Alzheimer's is a chronic disease that is becoming increasingly common among the elderly, affecting memory and leading to eating disorders. It is a disease that progresses progressively and irreversibly due to degeneration of brain tissue. Many medicinal plants are used to protect and/or delay the appearance of certain cognitive symptoms of this pathology. It is in this context that we were interested in the neurotherapeutic effect of the date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) of the "Deglet Nor" variety. The in vivo evaluation of the neurotherapeutic activity of aqueous extracts of date pulp and kernels is based on the Alzheimer's model. This experimental protocol is based on the induction of Alzheimer's disease by aluminium chloride (AlCl3) at 100mg/kg administered orally combined with a daily intraperitoneal (IP) injection of D-galactose at 120mg/kg for 45 days. This is followed by a 45-day therapeutic period consisting of daily administration by gastric gavage of two aqueous extracts of date pulp (EP) and date kernels (EN) at 250mg/kg. The determination of the efficacy of the extracts studied is established by behavioural and memory tests at the end of the experiment. The results obtained from neurological behavioural tests reveal a moderate improvement in locomotor activity in Alzheimer mice treated with the aqueous extract of date pulp at 250mg/kg (Alz-EP) compared to Alzheimer (Alz) model mice. While Alzheimer mice treated with date kernel aqueous extract at 250mg/kg (Alz-EN) showed less anxiety than Alzheimer mice (Alz). Concerning memory tests, the results show a restoration of memory in Alzheimer mice treated with aqueous extract of date kernels at 250mg/kg (Alz-EN) compared to Alzheimer (Alz) model mice. Finally we can conclude from our experimental study that the aqueous extract of date nuclei could potentially represent a new potential source of bioactive molecules in neurotherapy.