Antioxidant and Cognitive Enhancing Activities of Sargassum ilicifolium and Padina tetrastromatica in Scopolamine Treated Mice

Abstract

Sargassum ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh (SI) and Padina tetrastromatica (Hauck) (PT) are tropical and sub-tropical brown algae, found in the coastal region of India. In the present study, the cognitive enhancing activity of chloroform and ethanol extract of SI and PT (CSI, ESI & CPT, EPT) was investigated in scopolamine- induced amnesic mice using the Passive avoidance (PA) test. In addition, the effect on brain oxidative enzymes and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also evaluated using a spectrophotometer. The results of this study indicated that CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg), as well as CPT (600 mg/kg), significantly increased Step-Down Latency compared to scopolamine treated group, indicated that, CSI, ESI and CPT significantly (p < 0.01) reversed memory deficit produced by scopolamine. Further, administration of CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg), as well as CPT (600 mg/kg), produced a significant (p < 0.01) fall in Malondialdehyde and increased in Reduced glutathione activity, indicated that CSI, ESI, and CPT exert a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by scopolamine. Also, it was found that, CSI (600 mg/kg), ESI (600 mg/kg) and CPT (600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibit AChE activity. These findings resemble the effect of the standard anti-amnesic drug Piracetam. In conclusion, chloroform and ethanol extract of SI and PT shows significant cognitive-enhancing activities by the inhibition enzyme AChE and by the regulation of the oxidative enzymes in scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. However, further research is essential to explore the exact mechanism underlying this activity.