133NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF CARICA PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST ALUMINIUM TOXICITY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION & BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN RATSTo study the Protective role of alcoholic leaf extract of Carica papaya (C.P) in aluminium induced cognitive dysfunction & oxidative damage in albino rats, and to explore the neuroprotective effect of Carica papaya represented by behaviour and memory tests. Male Wister rats (30) were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group I received normal saline. Group II were administered orally with aluminium chloride (100 mg/kg). Group III received Rivastigmine 0.3 mg/kg body orally. Group IV & V were administered with alcoholic Carica papaya leaf extract 200 & 400 mg/kg along with aluminium chloride of 100 mg/kg orally after 1 hr interval. The study was carried out for a period of 42 days (6 weeks). Behavioural assessment is done using Rota rod apparatus and Elevated plus maze and Biochemical parameters from brain homogenate like acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) activity, Total protein, Lipid peroxidation (MDA), Super oxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, Glutathione Reductase (GR) were estimated. All the data was analysed using One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey‟s multiple comparison test. The % reduction of acetylcholinesterase, glutathione reductase observed in alcoholic Carica papaya leaf extract (400mg/kg) dose as compared with that of standard drug was found to be 87.5% and 89% respectively, while % reduction of Catalase and SOD observed in alcoholic Carica papaya leaf extract (400mg/kg) dose as compared with that of standard drug was found to be 97 % and 99 % respectively. This study demonstrates alcoholic Carica papaya leaf extract has a neuroprotective effect against aluminium induced behavioural changes.himabindu307@gmail.comResearch722017C.P leaf extract,Neuroprotective,Alzheimer‟s disease,AluminiumHimabindu Kalluri,K.S.Murali Krishna,A VijayalakshmiAssistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri PadmavatiMahilaViswavidyalayam,Womens University, Tirupati.,Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri PadmavatiMahilaViswavidyalayam,Womens University, Tirupati.,Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sri PadmavatiMahilaViswavidyalayam,Womens University, Tirupati.