- Comprehensive LC-ESI-MS/MS profiling annotated 56 compounds; six phytochemicals were isolated and structurally characterised by UV, NMR, and MS techniques.
- Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions improved Morris water maze performance and reduced oxidative stress by increasing catalase and lowering malondialdehyde.
- n-Butanol fraction upregulated SIRT1, downregulated lnc-MALAT1 and vimentin, and preserved cortical and CA2 hippocampal neuronal architecture, implying Alzheimer's therapeutic potential.
Fitoterapia. 2026 Nov 2:107545. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2026.107545. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to conduct research about the phytochemical composition and neuroprotective potential of Encephalartos kisambo leaves. LC-ESI-MS/MS profiling of the methanolic extract putatively annotated 56 different compounds. Six compounds, namely β-sitosterol, 7,4′,7”,4”’-tetra-O-methyl amentoflavone, kayaflavone, isoginkgetin, bilobetin, and amentoflavone were isolated and characterized by spectroscopical investigations using UV, 1D- and 2D-NMR, HPLC-ESI-MS, and HR-ESI-MS. The neuroprotective efficacy of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions was evaluated in vivo using an aluminum chloride-induced neurodegeneration model. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions exihibted significant cognitive improvement in the Morris water maze test. These fractions also enhanced catalase activity while markedly reducing malondialdehyde levels, indicating their ability to alleviate oxidative stress associated with dementia. Furthermore, treatment with the n-butanol fraction downregulated the expression of lnc-MALAT1 and vimentin while upregulating SIRT1, suggesting modulation of neuroinflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Histopathological examination revealed that co-administration of the n-butanol fraction with AlCl₃ preserved the neuronal architecture in the cerebral cortex and CA2 region of the hippocampus. These findings highlighted E. kisambo as a promising source of neuroprotective agents with potential therapeutic relevance to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and manage its development.
PMID:42971333 | DOI:10.1016/j.fitote.2026.107545
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