الفهرس 
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Abstract
Obesity is a complex disease that results in many serious diseases such as (diabetes, blood pressure, atherosclerosis, stroke, fatty liver...etc.), in addition to diseases of the nervous system and its impact on the nervous and psychological state and the body’s biological processes
Ashwagandha is an herb that is classified in traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) as Rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs known for promoting physical and mental health, increasing the body’s resistance against diseases and many harmful environmental factors, and revitalizing the body. Both the roots and leaves of Ashwagandha are used for therapeutic purposes. It also treats many diseases, as it is used as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and lowers blood fats and blood sugar. In addition, it strengthens immunity and works as antibiotics. Other effects can be included, such as anti-stress, anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer’s, anti-Parkinson, anti-cancer, and anti-cortisol, antidepressant.
This study aims to identify the effect of Ashwagandha roots on neurological disorders in obese mice, find out the content of biologically active compounds in Ashwagandha roots, and study the effect of the biological activities of Ashwagandha roots, and present important recommendations that were extracted from the study.
The current study was performed on (36) Sprague-Dawley strain adult male healthy albino rats weighting (150±10) g were obtained from Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Animal House Department, Giza, Egypt, All rats were fed on control diet for 7 days before the beginning of experiments for adaptation. After the adaptation period, the rats were divided into 6 groups and each group contains 6 rats as follows:
• group (1): Negative control group (-) in which normal rats were fed on basal diet.
• group (2): Positive control group (+) in this group rats were fed on high cholesterol diet (basal diet + 1.5% cholesterol + 10% animal of fat) for 3 weeks to induced obesity.
• group (3): Induced obesity group and fed on the basal diet containing (2%, ashwagandha roots powder).
• group (4): Induced obesity group and fed on the basal diet containing (4%, ashwagandha roots powder).
• group (5): Induced obesity group and fed on the basal diet containing (6%, of ashwagandha roots powder).
• group (6): Induced obesity group and fed on the basal diet containing (8%, of ashwagandha roots powder).
At the end of experimental (8 weeks) The following experiments were performed
1. Biological evaluation of rats, the body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and organs weight.
2. Biochemical evaluation of blood serum, the blood samples were collected after 12 hours fasting and serum was separated for determination of lipid profile serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), Liver function aspartate amino transaferase (AST), alanine amino transaferase (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP), Serum acetylcholine esterase (AChE) , dopamine and serotonin.
3. Bioactive components of Ashwagandha root powder as total phenolics, Total carotenoids, total flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponin and triterpenoids.
At the same time, the organs: Adipose tissue and brain were removed, washed in saline solution, wiped by filter paper, weighted, and stored in formalin solution 10% for histopathololgical examinations.
Statistical analysis:
All analysis were done in triplicates and expressed as mean± standard deviations (SD). Statistical analysis was performed using MINITAB 12 computer program (Minitab Inc., State College, PA). A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Biological Results:
1. Bioactive components of Ashwagandha root powder:
Total phenolics (24.76±2.65), Total carotenoids (78.56±3.90), Total flavonoids (39.78±5.63), Tannins (25.16±3.56), Alkaloids (987.45±24.93), Saponin (8.11 ±0.67) and Triterpenoids (346.52±18.65).
2. The effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on (BWG), (FI) and (FER) of obese rats
There were increased in BWG, FI and FER of obese rats, while there were decreased in BWG, FI and FER of obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder compared to control (+). The Best effect on BWG, FI and FER showed by obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
Obese rats increased pronouncedly the FI of rats which was decreased by feeding on ashwagandha roots powder. The best treatment was that of ashwagandha roots powder 8% diet.
3. The effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on organs weight of obese rats
There were increased in of liver, kidney and brain weight of obese rats while there were decreased in organs weight of obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder compared to control (+). The Best effect on liver, kidney and brain weight recorded for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
4. Effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on serum lipid profile of obese rats
The results showed increased in serum (TC), (TG), LDL-c and VLDL-c levels in obese rats fed on (DIO) compared to control (+).
There was decreased in HDL-c levels in obese rats fed on (DIO) compared to control (+), The Best effect on serum (TC), (TG), LDL-c, VLDL-c and HDL-c recorded for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
5. Effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on liver function of obese rats
The results showed significant increased in serum AST, ALT and ALP levels in obese rats fed on (DIO) while decreased in serum AST, ALT and ALP levels in obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder compared to control (+) the Best effect on serum AST, ALT and ALP recorded for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
6. Effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) level of obese rats
The results showed significant increased in Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) level of obese rats, while there were decreased in (AChE) levels of obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder compared to control (+).The Best effect on(AChE) levels recorded for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
7. Effect of intervention with ashwagandha roots powder (ARP) on serum dopamine and serotonin level of obese rats
The results showed significant decreased in serum dopamine and serotonin, in obese rats, while there were increased in serum dopamine and serotonin in obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder compared to control (+).The Best effect on serum dopamine and serotonin recorded for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8% when compared to control (+).
8. Histopathological Results:
The histopathological results of Adipose tissue and brain of all obese rats then fed on ashwagandha roots powder showed an improvement of structure changed by Bioactive components of Ashwagandha root as compared to control (+) group, especially for obese rats fed on ashwagandha roots powder 8%.