Effect of ethanolic extract of Ashwagandha and its isolated linoleic acid on the oxidative and reductive biomarkers in rats with induced neurodegeneration

Authors

  • Wasan Z. Ahmad Chemistry department, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq
  • Luma A. Baker Chemistry department, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37375/susj.v15i2.3717

Keywords:

Ashwagandha, Neurodegeneration, rats, oxidative, reductive, linoleic acid, trichloroethylene

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an alcoholic extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and the fatty acid isolated from it on oxidative and reductive biomarkers in rats whose neurodegenerative disorders were induced by trichloroethylene (TCE). Laboratory animals were divided into eight groups. The first group (negative control) received only distilled water. The second one (positive control) had the disease induced by TCE. The third one was treated with linoleic acid, the fourth with palmitic acid, and the fifth with the alcoholic extract. The sixth group received linoleic acid along with the alcoholic extract. The seventh one received palmitic acid along with the alcoholic extract, and the eighth one received linoleic acid first, followed by the induced disease. The results showed that the TCE-treated rats had a significant decrease in GSH, GPx, and UA and a significant increase in MDA compared to the negative controls. Rats treated with linoleic acid, alcoholic extract, a combination of both, and the pre-treatment linoleic acid group showed noticeable increases in GSH, GPx, and UA and noticeable decreases in MDA compared to the positive control group. Rats treated with palmitic acid showed significant increases in GPx and significant decreases in GSH, MDA, and UA compared to the positive control group. Rats injected with palmitic acid and the extract showed noticeable increases in GSH and GPx and noticeable decreases in MDA and UA compared to the positive control group. Accordingly, this study tried to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Ashwagandha extract and the linoleic acid isolated from it against TCE-induced neurodegeneration in rats.

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Published

2025-12-24