Effects of Co-Administration of Quercetin and Donepezil in the Catalepsy Bar-Test and Histomorphology of Cerebellum in Aluminium Chloride Treated Rats

ABSTRACT
Varying neurological effects, and impairments to motor functions, neurochemistry and neuromorphology have been associated with Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3) induced neurotoxicity. Quercetin is one of the important bioflavonoids which is known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Donepezil is in a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors. It improves mental function by increasing the amount of a certain naturally occurring substance in the brain.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of co-administration of quercetin and donepezil on the catalepsy bar-test and histomorphology of cerebellum in aluminium treated rats.
A total of seventy female rats weighing 120-150g (Rattus novergicus) were randomly assigned into seven groups (n=10 each). Group A, control group were fed standard rat chow and 10mls/kg Normal Saline for 28 days; Group B, Quercetin control were fed standard rat chow 200 mg/kg of dietary Quercetin supplement for 14 days Group C; Donepezil control were fed standard rat chow for 28 days and 3 mg/kg Donepezil only for 14 days. Group D, Aluminium chloride control were fed standard rat chow for 28 days and 100 mg/kg AlCl3 only for 14 days; Group E were fed standard rat chow with 100 mg/kg of AlCl3 for the first 14 days and 200 mg/kg of dietary Quercetin supplement for the last 14 days; Group F were fed standard rat chow, 100 mg/kg of AlCl3 for the first 14 days and 3 mg/kg of Donepezil for the last 14 days; Group G were fed standard rat chow 100 mg/kg of AlCl3 for 14 days and 200 mg/kg of dietary Quercetin supplement, 3 mg/kg of Donepezil for the last 14 days.
Drugs were administrated orally by oral cannula and dosage was based on body weight of each animal. At the end of the experimental period, animals were exposed to the behavioural paradigm (Catalepsy Bar-test). 24 hours after the behavioural tests, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The brain was removed, observed grossly, weighed and fixed in 10 % neutral buffered formol-calcium. Sections of the cerebellum were processed for paraffin embedding, cut at 5 µm and stained for histological study.
The body weight result from this study showed an increase in body weight in co-administration of quercetin and donepezil group compared to aluminum chloride group. The feed intake result from this study showed a decrease in feed intake with aluminium chloride group in the first two weeks and it was reversed with co-administration of quercetin and donepezil in the last two weeks. There was no significant difference in the catalepsy score using bar-test. The histological findings from this study showed distorted in Purkinje cell layer in aluminium chloride group compared co-administration quercetin and donepezil group.
The findings from this study on the combined effects of Quercetin and Donepezil on aluminum chloride-induced damage to behavioral indices and cerebellar histoarchitecture suggest that the simultaneous use of these agents may serve as a potential intervention for individuals frequently exposed to aluminum.