Evaluation of the Memory Enhancing Activity of Dichloromethane Fraction of the Methanolic Extract of Pycnanthus angolensis Stem Bark on Experimental Models of Memory Impairment

Drug Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 551-558
Author(s):  
Chinwuba Ekwutosi Patricia ◽  
Bakare Adewale Ganiyu ◽  
Ben-Azu Benneth ◽  
Iwalewa Ezekiel Olugbenga

Abstract Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warb., Myristicaceae, is used extensively in ethnomedicine. Numerous health benefits have been ascribed to the use of different parts of P. angolensis including its role in cognitive function and inflammatory conditions. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of stem bark of the plant on memory function in mice.The plant material was pulverized into powder and extracted by maceration with 80% methanol at room temperature for 48 h. This was subsequently fractionated using N-hexane, Dichloromethane (DCM) and Ethyl acetate. The Dichloromethane fraction which is the most potent fraction (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was evaluated for memory enhancing activity using the Y-maze (YMT), morris water maze (MWM) and the elevated plus maze (EPM) on D-galactose plus scopolamine and ketamine induced amnesia. The antioxidant markers and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting effect of DCM were also investigated.The results obtained from the behavioural study indicates that the DCM fraction significantly (p<0.05) increased alternation behaviour of mice in the YMT, decreased the escape latency in the MWM paradigm and decreased the transfer latency in the EPM. Biochemically, DCM increased glutathione, and superoxide dismutase, but decreased malondialdehyde and AChE activity in the brain.The findings therefore suggests that the DCM possesses significant memory enhancing activity, which may be due to enhancement of antioxidant activity and cholinergic transmission. The attenuation of the effect of ketamine by the DCM may possibly result from an increase in NMDA receptor mediated neurotransmission and attenuation of oxidative stress.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Imran ◽  
Sana Javaid ◽  
Aroosa Waheed ◽  
Muhammad Fawad Rasool ◽  
Abdul Majeed ◽  
...  

Grewia asiatica L. fruit natively called phalsa is a popular berry of Pakistan and widely consumed in the form of fresh juices and carbonated drinks in the summer season. The berry is enriched with antioxidants such as phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and vitamin C. Scientifically, it is the least explored berry in terms of neuromodulatory activities, and therefore, in the designed study, chronically fed rats with the different dilutions (5%−30%) of fruit juice were subjected to behavioral assessment for anxiety, depression, and cognition (spatial memory) followed by biochemical analysis of isolated brains. Results revealed a prominent impact of 20 and 30% dilutions of fruit exudate as treated animals showed anxiolytic behavior to central zone (P &lt; 0.05) of open field test (OFT) and open arms of elevated plus maze (EPM) (P &lt; 0.05) in anxiety models. Overall, immobility of rats treated with a higher concentration of exudate in forced swim test (FST) was reduced (P &lt; 0.05) presenting antidepressant-like activity. Moreover, in learning and memory experimental models, the treated animals reversed scopolamine-induced amnesic effects as evident from improved step-through latencies (P &lt; 0.05 vs. scopolamine; passive avoidance test), spontaneous alternation behavior (P &lt; 0.05 vs. scopolamine; Y-maze test), discrimination index (P &lt; 0.05 vs. scopolamine; novel object recognition test), and escape latencies (P &lt; 0.05 vs. scopolamine; Morris water maze). Biochemical studies of isolated brains from treated rats demonstrated significantly elevated levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P &lt; 0.05), whereas levels of acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde level (P &lt; 0.05) were reduced, indicating its potential to reduce oxidative damage in the brain and modulation with the cholinergic system. The outcomes of studies support the benefits of phytoconstituents possessed by G. asiatica fruit in the amelioration of neurological disorders that could be due to their antioxidative capacity or due to interaction with GABAergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic systems in the brain.


Author(s):  
Suwathi Ravichandar ◽  
K.A.S. Mohammed Shafeeq ◽  
S. Karpagam Kumara Sundari ◽  
R. Senthamarai

In traditional system of medicine, various parts of Delonix regia have been used for many ailments. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the memory enhancing activity of Ethanolic Extract of Delonix regia leaves (EEDRL) against scopolamine induced amnesia by using Elevated Plus Maze, Y Maze and Morris Water Maze Models. Ethanolic Extract of Delonix regia was prepared then subjected to phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, phenols and saponins. Acute oral toxicity was performed as per OECD guidelines 423. Based on this, two dose levels of EEDRL were chosen as 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg for pharmacological screening. Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of six animals each. EEDRL at a dose levels 200 mg/kg & 400 mg/kg showed increase in inflexion ratio in Elevated Plus Maze, increase in Percentage alterations in Y Maze & decrease in Escape latency in Morris Water Maze Model compared to disease control in dose dependent manner which indicates that the EEDRL reverses the scopolamine induced amnesia in mice. The memory enhancing activity in mice might be due to facilitation of cholinergic transmission. Hence it can be concluded that Delonix regia appears to be a promising candidate for improving memory, and it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in the management of Alzheimer patient.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Hritcu ◽  
W. Bild ◽  
A. Ciobica ◽  
V. Artenie ◽  
I. Haulica

Aims:The brain renin-angiotensin system is involved in learning and memory, but the actual role of angiotensin II and its metabolites in this process has been difficult to comprehend. In the present study we assessed the role of the angiotensin AT1 receptors in certain behavioral effects of angiotensin II using their selective antagonist losartan and PD123319, intracerebroventricularly (icv) administrated.Methods:Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1. sham-operated; 2. Losartan; 3. PD123319. All drugs were stereotaxically icv injected. Learning and memory tests began 2 weeks after the operation, and the ability of the rats to acquire the operant task was studied by means of Y-maze task and passive avoidance task, respectively. The anxiety state was measured in elevated plus maze.Results:Losartan and PD123319 significantly impaired spatial memory in Y-maze task, suggesting significant effects on short-term memory. In passive avoidance task, both angiotensin II antagonist, significantly decreased step-through-latency, suggesting significant effects on long-term memory. In elevated plus maze measuring anxiety, both drugs diminished anxiety state.Conclusions:Our results suggest the considerable involvement of the brain ATi angiotensin receptors in the cognition improving effects of angiotensin.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurmuhammat Amat ◽  
Parida Hoxur ◽  
Dang Ming ◽  
Aynur Matsidik ◽  
Anake Kijjoa ◽  
...  

Oral administration of Abnormal Savda Munsiq (ASMq), a herbal preparation used in Traditional Uighur Medicine, was found to exert a memory-enhancing effect in the chronic stressed mice, induced by electric foot-shock. The memory improvement of the stressed mice was shown by an increase of the latency time in the step-through test and the decrease of the latency time in the Y-maze test. Treatment with ASMq was found to significantly decrease the serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT) and -endorphin (-EP) as well as the brain and serum level of norepinephrine (NE). Furthermore, ASMq was able to significantly reverse the chronic stress by decreasing the brain and serum levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPAC). The results obtained from this study suggested that the memory-enhancing effect of ASMq was mediated through regulations of neurochemical and neuroendocrine systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL4) ◽  
pp. 2564-2569
Author(s):  
Mrudul Y Chitrakar ◽  
Manish P Deshmukh ◽  
Ashish B Budhrani ◽  
Shilpa S Ingle

The unique functions of the brain are learning, memory, and ability to find objects, recollecting them, and cognition. The foremost intention of the study is to appraise the memory-enhancing potential of “YashtimadhuKalpa” using Wistar rats. The formulation YashtimadhuKalpawas prepared using various ingredients and was evaluated for memory-enhancing activity by using Morris water test and elevated plus maze apparatus for the parameter like transfer latency. The formulation - YashtimadhuKalpa (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) used for consecutive four weeks significantly reduced TL at the 29th day as correlated to the respective control sets, show enhancement in memory. All doses of formulation notably decreased EL of rats when checked for Day 1, day 15 and on day 30th as related to the control and showed noteworthy enhancement of learning and memory. Among all the doses, the higher dose at 300 mg/kg, p.o. Presents a highly important effect on TL as related to the vehicle-treated control set. The decline of transfer latency dose-dependently proved its potency against Neurodegeneration and confirmed its nootropic activity.


INDIAN DRUGS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (01) ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Prashant Tiwari ◽  
Nirjharini Patel ◽  
Susmita Jena ◽  
Shakti Ketan Prusty ◽  
Pratap Kumar Sahu

Cognitive impairment is one of the major problems associated with antiepileptic drugs. Phenytoin is one of the widely used anticonvulsant drugs, but it adversely affects learning and memory on prolonged use due to generation of reactive oxygen species. Metformin promotes neurogenesis, enhances spatial memory function and protects the brain against oxidative imbalance. Metformin, due to its interference with apoptotic cascade, prevents cell death. Hence the present study was undertaken to evaluate the nootropic effects of metformin against phenytoin induced cognitive impairment by using several preclinical models such as actophotometer, rotarod, elevated plus maze, radial arm maze and Y-maze. Adult wistar albino rats (150-200g) of both sexes were divided into three groups. Group-I was treated as control, Group-II was administered with phenytoin whereas Group-III was subjected to metformin followed by phenytoin. Metformin (200mg/kg) was administered orally 1h before administration of phenytoin (25mg/kg) for 21 days. Metformin showed significant (p<0.05) increase in locomotor activity in actophotometer, time of fall in rotarod, number of correct entries in radial arm maze, % SAB in Y-maze and decrease in time spent in open arm in elevated plus maze, thereby reversing the effects of phenytoin.


Author(s):  
Nidhi Tiwari ◽  
Jyoti Upadhyay ◽  
Mohd Nazam Ansari ◽  
Syed Shadab Raza ◽  
Wasim Ahmad ◽  
...  

: Vascular dementia (VaD) occurs due to cerebrovascular insufficiency, which leads to decreased blood circulation to the brain, thereby resulting in mental disabilities. The main causes of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) are severe hypoperfusion, stroke, hypertension, large vessel disease (cortical), small vessel disease (subcortical VaD), strategic infarct, hemorrhage (microbleed), cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA),which leads to decreased cerebrovascular perfusion. Many metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia are also related to VaD. The rodent experimental models provide a better prospective for the investigation of the molecular mechanism of new drugs. A plethora of experimental models are available that mimic the pathological conditions and lead to VaD. This review article updates the current knowledge on the basis of VaD, risk factors, pathophysiology, mechanism, advantages, limitations, and the modification of various available rodent experimental models.


Author(s):  
Kinga K. Borowicz-Reutt ◽  
Monika Banach ◽  
Monika Rudkowska ◽  
Anna Stachniuk

Abstract Background Due to blocking β-receptors, and potassium KCNH2 channels, sotalol may influence seizure phenomena. In the previous study, we have shown that sotalol potentiated the antielectroshock action of phenytoin and valproate in mice. Materials and methods As a continuation of previous experiments, we examined the effect of sotalol on the action of four chosen second-generation antiepileptic drugs (oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, pregabalin, and topiramate) against the maximal electroshock in mice. Undesired effects were evaluated in the chimney test (motor impairment) and step-through passive-avoidance task (long-term memory deficits). Finally, brain concentrations of antiepileptics were determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay, while those of sotalol by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results Sotalol at doses of up to 100 mg/kg did not affect the electroconvulsive threshold. Applied at doses of 80–100 mg/kg, sotalol did not affect the antielectroshock action of oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, pregabalin, or topiramate. Sotalol alone and in combinations with antiepileptics impaired neither motor performance nor long-term memory. Finally, sotalol significantly decreased the brain concentrations of lamotrigine and increased those of oxcarbazepine and topiramate. Pharmacokinetic interactions, however, did not influence the final antielectroshock effects of above-mentioned drug combinations. On the other hand, the brain concentrations of sotalol were not changed by second-generation antiepileptics used in this study. Conclusion Sotalol did not reduce the antielectroshock action of four second-generation antiepileptic drugs examined in this study. Therefore, this antidepressant drug should not interfere with antiseizure effects of lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, pregabalin, and topiramate in patients with epilepsy. To draw final conclusions, our preclinical data should still be confirmed in other experimental models and clinical conditions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Li ◽  
Qian-tong Liu ◽  
Yi Chen ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Jin-li Shi ◽  
...  

Quercitrin is a well-known flavonoid that is contained in Flos Albiziae, which has been used for the treatment of anxiety. The present study investigated the anxiolytic-like effects of quercitrin in experimental models of anxiety. Compared with the control group, repeated treatment with quercitrin (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for seven days significantly increased the percentage of entries into and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze. In the light/dark box test, quercitrin exerted an anxiolytic-like effect at 5 and 10 mg/kg. In the marble-burying test, quercitrin (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) also exerted an anxiolytic-like effect. Furthermore, quercitrin did not affect spontaneous locomotor activity. The anxiolytic-like effects of quercitrin in the elevated plus maze and light/dark box test were blocked by the serotonin-1A (5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT1A)) receptor antagonist WAY-100635 (3.0 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by theγ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor antagonist flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). The levels of brain monoamines (5-HT and dopamine) and their metabolites (5-hydroxy-3-indoleacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and homovanillic acid) were decreased after quercitrin treatment. These data suggest that the anxiolytic-like effects of quercitrin might be mediated by 5-HT1Areceptors but not by benzodiazepine site of GABAAreceptors. The results of the neurochemical studies suggest that these effects are mediated by modulation of the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 287-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Tai Kim ◽  
Youn-Ju Yi ◽  
Mi-Yeon Kim ◽  
Youngmin Bu ◽  
Zhen Hua Jin ◽  
...  

To investigate whether HT008-1, a prescription used in traditional Korean medicine to treat mental and physical weakness, has a neuroprotective effect on a rat model of global brain ischemia and an enhancing effect against memory deficit following ischemia. Global brain ischemia was induced for 10 min by using 4-vessel occlusion (4-VO). HT008-1 was orally administered at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg respectively twice at 0 and 90 min after ischemia. The effect on memory deficit was investigated by using a Y-maze neurobehavioral test 4 days after brain ischemia, and the effect on neuronal damage was measured 7 days after ischemia. The mechanism of action was studied immunohistochemically using an anti-CD11b (OX-42) antibody. The oral administration of HT008-1 at 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal cell death by 49% and 53%, respectively, compared with a vehicle-treated group, and also improved spatial memory function in the Y-maze test. Immunohistochemically, HT008-1 inhibited OX-42 expression in the hippocampus. The effects of HT008-1 were more pronounced than those of its individual herb components. The herbal mixture HT008-1 protects the most vulnerable CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus and enhances spatial memory function against global brain ischemia; an anti-inflammatory effect may be one of the mechanisms of action.


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