# Ficus religiosa leaf extract mitigates the neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in aluminium chloride exposed Wistar rat brain

## TL;DR

This study shows that Ficus religiosa leaf extract can reduce brain damage caused by aluminum exposure in rats, potentially helping treat neurological disorders.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the novel therapeutic potential of Ficus religiosa leaf extract in mitigating neurodegenerative changes.

## Key findings

- Ficus religiosa leaf extract reduced neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in aluminum-exposed rats.
- The extract improved locomotor activity impaired by aluminum exposure in a dose-dependent manner.
- The results suggest FR leaf extract may combat neurological disorders by targeting amyloid and tangle formation.

## Abstract

Aluminium (Al) deposition in different parts of the brain contributes significantly for the progression of neurodegenerative changes. The present study was undertaken to find out the influence of Ficus religiosa leaves against Al induced deposition of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and amyloid plaque in Wistar rats. We used rats of around 12-week age for the study. The animals were divided into 7 groups classified as control, Al, T200 & 300 as two extract treatment groups, FR200 & 300 which served as FR extract control and PRL, the prophylactic group. Aluminium exposure increased the expression of NFT and amyloid plaques along with decreased locomotor activity in the present study. However, these deleterious effects were improved in the form of reduced number of NFT and amyloid plaques by Ficus religiosa leaf extract treatment in a dose dependent manner. The outcomes of our study reveal the therapeutic potential of FR leaves against neurological disorders by combating the amyloid plaque and NFT formation.