Environ Exp Biol (2025) 23: 77–88

Evaluation of neuroprotective efficacy of Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia catappa fruit extracts in zebrafish model

Abstract

The present study evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia catappa fruits through dietary application of different solvent extracts (aqueous, methanol, ethanol, hexane) at various concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g kg^–1 feed) in an aluminium-induced neurotoxic zebrafish model. Aluminium exposure significantly elevated brain acetylcholinesterase activity, monoamine oxidase activity, and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in comparison to the control, indicating neurodegeneration. Dietary administration of both plant materials reduced the level of all three biochemical parameters. T. bellerica aqueous extract and T. catappa ethanol extract, both at the concentration of 0.8 g kg^–1 feed, showed the best results, restoring acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels close to those in the control fish. Both T. bellerica and T. catappa fruits may be used as therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases, however, their efficacy depends on the extraction solvent and concentration of dietary supplementation.