Sausage tree (Kigelia africana) flavonoid extract is neuroprotective in AlCl3-induced experimental Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a developmental neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no effective treatment or cure at present. In this study, the neuroprotective properties of a methanol extract of the leaves of Kigelia africana (KAE) and its flavonoid-rich fraction (FKAE) in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced experimental AD was evaluated. Symptoms mimicking AD were induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by administering 17 mg/kg AlCl3, orally, for six consecutive weeks. Pretreatment of animals with 50 and 100 mg/kg KAE or FKAE for two weeks, followed by their co-administration with AlCl3 for a further four weeks ameliorated neurological deficits, cerebral oxidative stress, neurochemical disturbances and histoarchitectural alterations caused by AlCl3 intoxication. The results suggest that KAE and FKAE are promising therapeutic agents for AD.