Ameliorative Effects of Roots of <I>Asparagus adscendens</I> Roxb. on Cognitive Impairments and Brain Aging Induced by Scopolamine and Diazepam in Animal Models Relevant to Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Memory loss in dementia is often the most disabling feature of many disorders, impairing the normal daily activities of the patients and profoundly affecting their families. Treatment of cognitive disorders like dementia and Alzheimer's disease has been challenging since no potential drug is available at present with proved efficacy. In the present study, nootropic activity of methanolic extract of roots of Asparagus adscendens Roxb.(AR) was studied in mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to evaluate learning and memory. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were used to induce amnesia in mice. AR (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated amnesic deficits induced by scopolamine, diazepam and natural aging. Furthermore, it also reversed aging induced amnesia due to natural aging of mice. AR profoundly increased whole brain acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity. Hence, AR might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the elderly. The underlying mechanism of its action may be attributed to its antioxidant and acetyl cholinesterase inhibition properties.