Quercetin attenuates neuronal death against aluminum-induced neurodegeneration in the rat hippocampus

•Quercetin decreases ROS production and increases MnSOD activity.•It also prevents aluminum-induced neuronal apoptosis and reduces DNA fragmentation.•It also attenuates aluminum-induced mitochondrial swelling, loss of cristae and chromatin condensation.•Finally, it acts as an effective antioxidant in vivo against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity.