**7.** *Asparagus racemosus* **Willd.**

Methanolic extract of *Asparagus racemosus* decreased the degrees of cytokines, malondialdehyde (as a marker of lipid peroxides formation), and nitric oxide with a critical increment in the levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, concluding its neuroprotective activity [55]. Its root extract (100 mg/kg) cured region-specific neurodegeneration created in Swiss albino mice [56] and also demonstrated dose-dependent improvement in memory after histochemical and behavioral studies. A noteworthy decrease in transfer latency time and a significant increment in acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining in histochemical identification were observed suggesting antioxidant, cholinergic, and neuroprotective properties of *A. racemosus* [57]. EuMil, a formulation containing standardized extracts *A. racemosus* Willd., has

*Bioactive Molecules from Indian Medicinal Plants as Possible Candidates for the Management… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92043*

been used for stress-related problems and has been found to re-establish modified degree of nor-adrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and dopamine normal (100 mg/kg, p.o. 14 days) [58]. *Withania somnifera* and *A. racemosus* together have shown noteworthy impacts in cell viability test, lactic dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, glutathione disulfide, glutathione, nerve growth factor, pro-brain-derived growth factor levels, and reactive oxygen species generation [59]. Ovariectomized adult female Wistar rats showed noteworthy upregulation of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) in hippocampus and frontal cortex area alongside enhancement in the levels of brainderived neurotrophic factor. Upregulation of estrogen receptors and enhancement in the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor can be filled in as proof for neuroprotective impact of ethanolic concentrate of *A. racemosus* roots [60, 61]. Significant protection is seen after the supplementation of Mentat (BR-16A) is an herbal psychotropic preparation, containing *A. racemosus* against ethanol withdrawal-induced decrease of pentylenetetrazole threshold in rats and mice [62]. Sarsasapogenin, a steroidal saponin from *A. racemosus,* has been studied for neuroprotective impact in Alzheimer's disease. Sarsasapogenin **(29)** indicated noteworthy restraint of butyrylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase-B, beta-secretase 1, and acetylcholinesterase, key enzymes related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. At the point when tested against Aβ42 and H2O2-interceded cytotoxicity, sarsasapogenin showed a huge neuroprotective impact on PC12 cells. These discoveries recommended that sarsasapogenin can go about as a multi-target directed ligand and as a reasonable lead compound for treating different elements engaged with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease [63]. Alterations in the normal levels of neurotransmitters, glutamate, acetylcholinesterase, dopamine, and protein because of worldwide cerebral ischemia were normalized by standardized *A. racemosus* Willd. root methanolic extract, appeared by the abatement in the degree of glutamate, acetylcholinesterase, and increment in dopamine levels and protein levels. Group treated with methanolic root extract of *A. racemosus* Willd. shown 85% neuronal protection in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. This demonstrated the cerebroprotective role of *A. racemosus* Willd. [64].
