Bio-enhanced fraction from Clitoria ternatea root extract ameliorates cognitive functions and in vivo hippocampal neuroplasticity in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model

• Published in: Ageing research reviews 2023-08, Vol.89, p.101990-101990, Article 101990
• Main Authors: Ahad, Mohamad Anuar, Chear, Nelson Jeng-Yeou, Keat, Lim Gin, Has, Ahmad Tarmizi Che, Murugaiyah, Vikneswaran, Hassan, Zurina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amyloid beta; Animals; Brain Ischemia - drug therapy; Brain Ischemia - metabolism; Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion; Clitoria - chemistry; Clitoria ternatea root; Clitorienolactone A; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction - drug therapy; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Cognitive Dysfunction - metabolism; Hippocampus - metabolism; Humans; Maze Learning; Neuronal Plasticity; Neuroplasticity; Neurotransmitters; Rats
• ISSN: 1568-1637; 1872-9649
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101990

Research employing a bio-enhanced fraction of Clitoria ternatea (CT) to treat cognitive decline in the animal model has not yet been found. This study aimed to determine the neuroprotective effect of CT root bioactive fraction (CTRF) in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) rat model. CTRF and its major compound, clitorienolactones A (CLA), were obtained using column chromatography. A validated HPLC-UV method was employed for the standardization of CTRF. CCH rats were given orally either vehicle or fraction (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg). Behavioural and hippocampal neuroplasticity studies were conducted following 4 weeks post-surgery. The brain hippocampus was extracted for proteins and neurotransmitters analyses. HPLC analysis showed that CTRF contained 25% (w/w) of CLA. All tested doses of CTRF and CLA (10 mg/kg) significantly restored cognitive deficits and reversed the inhibition of neuroplasticity by CCH. However, only CTRF (40 mg/kg) and CLA (10 mg/kg) significantly reversed the elevation of amyloid-beta plaque. Subsequently, treatment with CTRF (40 mg/kg) and CLA (10 mg/kg) alleviated the downregulation of molecular synaptic signalling proteins levels caused by CCH. The neurotransmitters level was restored following treatment of CTRF and CLA. Our finding suggested that CTRF improves memory and neuroplasticity in CCH rats which was mainly contributed by CLA. •Bio-enhanced fraction from Clitoria ternatea exhibits anti-cholinesterase activities in vitro.•Clitoria ternatea bio-enhanced fraction significantly improved behavioural performances and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat model.•Single treatment of bioactive fraction from Clitoria ternatea inhibits the accumulation of amyloid beta in the hippocampus.•Molecular synaptic signalling proteins in the hippocampus expressed significantly after treated with bio-enhanced fraction from Clitoria ternatea.•Dysregulation of the neurotransmitters in the hippocampus significantly reversed following administration of bio-enhanced fraction from Clitoria ternatea.