ABSTRACT
The neurotoxicity of Aluminum has been discovered in several experiments. It is a neurotoxic element involved inthe etiology of some neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate theneuroprotective effect of Salvia officinalis aqueous leaf extract (SAE) on the behavioral, histological, andbiochemical alterations caused by Aluminum chloride in female Wistar rats. Chronic aluminum chloride (AlCl3)exposure developed behavioral deficits by decreasing locomotor activity and caused a significant reduction ofspontaneous alternation. Besides, AlCl3 exposure showed a significant decrease in Acetylcholinesterase activity(-54.49%), Catalase activity (-42.48%), and a significant increase in the mean concentration of Malondialdehyde(MDA) compared to control group. Histological alterations were observed in the brain of aluminum chlorideexposed group, which explains the neurodegenerative effect of aluminum on rat brain histology. SAE treatmentimproved behavioral and histological changes in AlCl3-induced rats, attenuated biochemical alteration byrecording an increase in Acetylcholinesterase activity at 73.68% and enhanced catalase activity by 62.7%, aswell as a decrease in the MDA level of -86.81% compared to the AlCl3 group. The current study demonstratesthat Salvia officinalis can be administered as a food additive to protect against the neurotoxicity of AlCl3 and toameliorate behavioral and oxidative status.