Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their preventive effect in deficits in recognition and spatial memory in sporadic Alzheimer's rat model

In this study, we showed the use of aqueous extract of N. khasiana leaf as a reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of AgNPs and assessed their therapeutic potential in sporadic AD model rats produced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (i.c.v.–STZ). Different spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to characterize the as-prepared AgNPs. XRD pattern showed the formation of face centered cubic (FCC) crystalline AgNPs. In addition, FTIR studies revealed the capping of N. khasiana leaf extract polyphenols onto the surface of AgNPs. Furthermore, AgNPs prevented the effect of deficits in recognition and spatial memory of STZ induced diabetic rats. The results of Barnes Maze test revealed that 48 h STZ + AgNPs and Sham alone treated groups displayed a decrease in the time used to detect the escape hole on the 5th day of training. Also, the object recognition tests suggested that Sham + AgNPs 48 h, STZ + AgNPs 48 h and Sham alone groups consumed more time in recognizing new object on the 2nd day, whereas, STZ group identified both the objects at equal time indicating the ability of AgNPs in preventing this damage impaired performance of object recognition. Further these results concluded that the prepared AgNPs could be considered as a potential candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.