Résumé:
Medicinal plants are currently attracting research interest with a view to developing new therapeutic formulations based on natural molecules. In this context, we investigated the neurotherapeutic effect of the inedible part of the date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) of the Deglet Nour variety. The aim of this study is to evaluate in vivo the neuroprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Algerian date pits (END) in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease. NMRI mice were divided into 6 groups (n=5); control group (T), Alzheimer's model group (ALZ), three Alzheimer's model groups treated with ethanolic extract of date stones at 50, 100 and 200mg\kg (ALZ-END50, ALZ-END100 and ALZ-END200 respectively) and an Alzheimer's model group treated with Donepezil at 1mg/kg (ALZ-STD). The experimental protocol was divided into two phases: the first involved daily administration of the solutions by gastric gavage for 45 days. The second was based on induction of Alzheimer's disease by exposure to aluminum chloride (AlCl3) at 100mg/kg combined with intraperitoneal (IP) injection of D-galactose at 120mg/kg for 45 days. The second is based on the induction of Alzheimer's disease by exposure to aluminum chloride (AlCl3) at 100mg/kg combined with an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of D-galactose at 120mg/kg for 45 days. Determination of the neuroprotective efficacy of NDT extract was based primarily on neurological memory tests followed by histological studies of brain tissue. The results of the memory tests obtained indicated a strong improvement in cognitive and memorization capacities in the Alzheimer's model group treated with ethanolic extract of date pits at 200mg/kg (Alz-END200) compared with the Alzheimer's model group (ALZ). Histological examination revealed minimal neuronal damage in the hippocampus of the Alz-END200 group compared with the Alzheimer model (ALZ). Finally, this study could possibly suggest that ethanolic extract of Algerian date pits would be a promising source of bioactive molecules in the neuroprotection of Alzheimer's disease.
