Extraction, LC-MS Profiling and Evaluation of In vitro, In silico, and In vivo Anti-alzheimer Potential of Citrus maxima Peel Oil
Vijayalakshmi P., Malarkodi VelrajIntroduction:
Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. (C. maxima; Pomelo; Rutaceae) contains high phytochemical content with neuroprotective activities. This study aims to evaluate the anti- Alzheimer property of C. maxima peel oil using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo studies.
Methods:
Peel oil of C. maxima was extracted through a hydrodistillation process and characterized by LC-MS analysis. Bioactive phytochemicals were subjected to molecular docking analysis for binding affinity with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In vitro AChE inhibitory activity was determined using Ellman’s method. Cognitive activities were determined using the Y-maze, Elevated Plus Maze, and Morris Water Maze in scopolaminetreated mice. Estimation of AChE, IL-6, and Tau protein content in the brain was done.
Results:
Limonene, α-pinene, β-myrcene, linalool, Sabinene, Decanal, Limonene oxide, trans limonene oxide, and auraptene were the major phytochemicals. Peel oil inhibited the activity of the AChE enzyme with an IC50 value of 26.4 μg/mL. Favorable binding affinities of the major phytochemicals with AChE were observed using molecular docking. C. maxima peel oil improved cognitive activities in scopolamine-treated mice and significantly decreased IL-6 and Tau protein content at 400 mg/kg.
Discussion:
These results indicate that C. maxima peel oil could exert neuroprotective actions due to its influence on cholinergic activity and neuroinflammation/Tau changes.
Conclusion:
C. maxima peel oil proved to be effective in inhibiting Alzheimer’s disease activity in various experimental models.