Effects of Cyperus Esculentus Infused Diet on the Hippocampus in Rotenone-Induced Parkinson-like Disease Model in adult male Wistar Rats; a preliminary study.

Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, brings about cognitive decline, memory loss, and motor dysfunction. Rotenone, a toxin that blocks mitochondrial complex I, can mimic the symptoms of Parkinson's in animal models. Tiger nut, a plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, has not been thoroughly investigated for its potential to safeguard against rotenone-induced hippocampal damage.

This research aimed to assess the neuroprotective effects of a diet enriched with tiger nut on the hippocampus of male Wistar rats with a rotenone-induced Parkinson's-like condition. Forty rats, weighing between 100 and 150 grams, were divided into four groups: a control group receiving standard feed and oil, a group receiving only tiger nut-infused diet, a group administered rotenone intraperitoneally, and a group receiving both rotenone and tiger nut-infused diet over a 28-day period.

The animals underwent tests to evaluate their behavior, such as the open field test and Y-maze test, and were examined for oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitter levels, and histological changes in their hippocampi. Rotenone administration led to significant declines in physical activity, spatial memory, and catalase activity, along with notable damage to the hippocampal structure, including neuronal vacuolization, chromatolysis, and myelin loss.

Surprisingly, the tiger nut-enriched diet mitigated these adverse effects, particularly by boosting catalase activity and maintaining the structural integrity of the hippocampus compared to the rotenone-only group. This study suggests that a diet supplemented with tiger nut may offer partial neuroprotection against rotenone-induced hippocampal damage, hinting at the potential for dietary modifications to alleviate cognitive decline in Parkinson's-like conditions.

Further research is needed to pinpoint the exact bioactive compounds in tiger nut that confer these protective benefits, paving the way for a deeper understanding of their molecular mechanisms.