The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2026; 15(1):86-93 ;   DOI:10.31254/phyto.2026.15112

Research Article

Neuroprotective effects of potentized alumina on oxidative stress markers in a rat model of cholinergic dysfunction

Avishkar Zagday¹ , Vaishali Vaishampayan² , Madhuri Sathe³ , Vishal Magdum⁴ , Usha Garje⁵ , Vaishali Vichare⁶ , Vinod Swami⁷ , Pradip Joshi⁸ , Sharyu Jadhavrao⁹ , Vinay Upadhyay¹⁰ , Tazeen Bidiwal¹¹

Avishkar Zagday,Vaishali Vaishampayan,Madhuri Sathe,Vishal Magdum,Usha Garje,Vaishali Vichare,Vinod Swami,Pradip Joshi,Sharyu Jadhavrao,Vinay Upadhyay,Tazeen Bidiwal

1. Professor and Head, Department of Physiology including Biochemistry, Smt. C.M.P. Homeopathic Medical College, Mumbai- 400056, Maharashtra, India
2. Professor, Department of Organon of Medicine, Dapoli Homeopathic Medical College, Dapoli- 415712, Maharashtra, India
3. Professor and HOD, Department of Pathology, Dapoli Homeopathic Medical College, Dapoli-415712, Maharashtra, India
4. Associate Professor, Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Hon. R.R Patil Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre, Sangli- 416416, Maharashtra, India
5. Professor and HOD Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Omar HMC and RC, Ranjani 431207, Maharashtra, India
6. Associate Professor, Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Dr. G.D.Pol Foundation’s YMT Homeopathic Medical College Kharghar, Navi Mumbai-410210, Maharashtra, India
7. Associate Professor, Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Dapoli Homeopathic Medical College, Dapoli-415712, Maharashtra, India
8. Professor and HOD Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Ashokrao Mane Homeopathic Medical College, Peth,Vadgaon,Kolhapur- 416112, Maharashtra, India
9. Associate professor, Department of Practice of Medicine, Hon. R.R Patil Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre, Sangli-416416, Maharashtra, India
10. Founder and Consulting Homeopath, Shweta Clinic, Kalyan, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
11. Professor and HOD Human Physiology and Biochemistry Department, Gulabrao Patil Homeopathic Medical College, Miraj-416410, Maharashtra, India

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 13th January, 2026 / Accepted: 16th March, 2026 / Published : 30th March, 2026

Abstract

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Background: Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease is closely linked to excessive oxidative stress, with evidence of heightened lipid peroxidation and failing antioxidant systems in affected brain regions. Alumina, a homoeopathic preparation sourced from aluminium oxide, has a classical Materia Medica profile encompassing motor sluggishness, cognitive slowing, and paralytic weakness. These features overlap considerably with the neurological disturbances generated by cholinergic blockade, making it a candidate of interest for evaluation in pharmacological models of dementia. Objective: The present study evaluated the impact of three homoeopathic potencies of Alumina (200C, 1M, and 10M) on cerebral oxidative stress parameters specifically malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) in a scopolamine-based rat model of cholinergic dementia. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six adults male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 6 per group): Group I (normal control), Group II (scopolamine-induced disease control), Group III (Donepezil-treated standard), Group IV (Alumina 200 C), Group V (Alumina 1M), and Group VI (Alumina 10M). Alumina preparations and Donepezil were administered orally for 14 consecutive days. On Day 15, cognitive impairment and oxidative stress were induced in all groups except the normal control by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg).  Following treatment, animals were sacrificed, and brain tissues were harvested for biochemical analysis. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated as an index of lipid peroxidation, while catalase activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were assessed to evaluate enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test. Results:  Scopolamine significantly increased MDA levels (4.12 ± 0.051 ng/mL vs. 1.25 ± 0.036 in controls), while catalase and GSH levels decreased markedly (28.83 ± 0.508 vs. 59.17 ± 0.508, and 3.18 ± 0.051 vs. 6.92 ± 0.051 ng/mL, respectively), collectively indicating a state of cerebral oxidative stress. Treatment with Alumina at all three potencies partially to substantially reversed these alterations. MDA levels decreased progressively from 3.95 ± 0.048 (200C) to 2.92 ± 0.074 (1M) and 2.33 ± 0.089 (10M). In contrast, catalase and GSH levels increased in a potency-dependent manner. The 10M group showed results most comparable to those of Donepezil across all three parameters. Conclusion:  Alumina, at homoeopathic potencies, produced measurable and graded changes in markers of cerebral oxidative stress, with higher potencies yielding greater biochemical normalization. These findings suggest a potential antioxidant neuroprotective effect that warrants further mechanistic and clinical investigation.

Keywords

Oxidative stress, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH), Neuroprotection, Scopolamine-induced dementia model, Homoeopathic Alumina

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