Portulaca oleracea Ethanolic Extract Ameliorates Colchicine-induced Cognitive Deficit and Oxidative Injury in Rats: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative condition attributed by oxidative insults and cognitive deterioration. The present research explored the possible therapeutic benefits of an ethanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea on colchinine induced oxidative damage and cognitive impairment in rats. AD was produced experimentally by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Colchicine (15µg/5µL ACSF). In the treatment group, rats were pretreated with POEE (0.5 and 2mg/kg b.w. respectively) for 7 days prior to the administration of ICV colchicine (15µg/5µL ACSF on day 7) followed by continued treatment with POEE for 14 days. Microtuble disrupting chemical colchicine when administered via ICV in rats resulted in memory retention defect in behavioral paradigms and causes oxidative injury indicated by a defective antioxidant enzyme function and increased lipid peroxidation. Administration of POEE at doses 0.5 and 2mg/kg b.w. reversed memory retention potential in rats by regulating the antioxidant defense mechanism against oxidative insults in colchicine induced animals in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest that Portulaca oleracea could be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of cognitive impairment and oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer’s disease.