Protective effects of Majun Brahmi on aluminium-induced cognitive impairment in rats: Biochemical and behavioral changes

Background: The Unani formulation Majun Brahmi (MB), a combination of herbs, is used in India as a brain tonic and memory enhancer. Aluminium deposition in the brain is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to observe that the effects of MB have been evaluated on aluminium trichloride or aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced cognitive impairment in an experimental rat model. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. AlCl3 was administered orally for 30 days to induce cognitive impairment. Group I received saline, Group II-AlCl3 (100 mg/kg b.wt), Group III-MB (1027.77 mg/kg b.wt), and Group IV-AlCl3 + MB (100 mg/kg b.wt+1027.77 mg/kg b.wt). At the end of the experiment, rats were subjected to behavioral and biochemical assessments. Results: Animals treated with AlCl3 showed a significant increase in time to reach the platform in the Morris water maze test (MWM), prolonged transfer latency (TL) in the elevated plus maze, and decreased step-down latency in the passive avoidance test, as compared to controls (P