Table 2.
Asparagus spp. contributes to alleviate neuropsychiatric illness.
| Asparagus spp. | Extract/dosage/Time | Behavioral observation | Neuro-nutraceutical property | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus adscendens | Hydroethanolic extract of A. adscendens root at a dosage of (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) for 14 days in mice | Diminished immobility time in both FST and TST. | Showed anti-depressant effect by normalizing HPA axis, augmenting monoaminergic mechanism and alleviating oxidative stress by improving antioxidant activity. | [114] |
| Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) | AC root extracts (1000 or 2000 mg/kg, PO) delivered to ovariectomized (OVX) rats and rested for two weeks to recover from post-surgical operation. | OVX rats exposed to CUMS treated with AC extract were effectively recovered sugar preferences to control level in SPT, normalize immobility time and swimming time in FST and restore open and closed arm time to control level in EPM, thus indicating anti-depressant like response | AC extracts inferred anti-depressant like behaviors and anxiolytic effects by decreasing corticosterone and pro-inflammatory cytokines and triggers BDNF-TrkB signaling route in an animal model of menopausal depression. | [115] |
| Aqueous extract of AC root (AEAC) (100 mg/kg/day) administered to mice | – | Reduced the accumulation of Aβ-42 peptides and neuronal dead cells via stimulating nerve growth factor secretion and impede acetylcholinesesterase enzyme activity along with decreased oxidative damage. | [116] | |
| Asparagus racemosus (AR) | Aqueous extract of AR | – | In vitro study elucidated that sarsasapogenin, a bioactive compound of AR could alleviate AD by suppressing major enzymes such as AChE, BuChE, BACE1 and MAO-B. It also manifested antioxidant, neuroprotective and amyloidogenic activity. | [59] |
| A. officinalis | Aqueous extract of A.officinalis stems (AEAS) administered at 1.6, 8, and 16 ml/kg in mice | Reduced the escaped latency in the Morris water maze test. | Enhance learning and memory ability by increasing cholinergic transmission, BDNF, acetylcholine level, and CREB expression. | [117] |
SPT: Sugar preference test; FST: Forced swim test; TST: Tail suspension test; EPM: Elevated plus maze; OVX: Ovariectomized; CUMS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress; BDNF: Brain derived neurotropic factors; TrkB: Tropomyosin receptor kinase B; AD: Alzheimer's disease; AChE: Acetylcholinesterase; BuChE: Butyrylcholinesterase; MAO-B: Monoamineoxidase-B; CREB: cAMP response element-binding protein.