Abstract
BackgroundE. coccinae (SIMS) G. (Asteraceae) is an annual plant commonly found throughout the plain of the Central Africa and widely used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of fever and convulsions in children. We previously reported that the methanolic extract of this plant improved spatial memory. However no underlying mechanism was explored. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae on memory in scopolamine treated rats and to propose possible mechanisms of action.MethodsNovel object recognition and Y-maze paradigm were used to test memory while oxidative profile, AChE and ACh level of the whole brain were assessed to outline the mechanism of nootropic activity of the extract. 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract were chronically administrated during 14 consecutive days in separate groups of scopolamine intraperitoneal treated rats (1.5 mg/kg).ResultsThe hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae (HEEC) at the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly improved the memory of rats and reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine. In addition, we showed that this extract is decreasing the acetyl cholinesterase activity while also increasing the acetylcholine levels in the brain. HEEC (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH and CAT) and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in the rat whole brain homogenates.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggested that the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine treated rats through the blockage of the oxidative effect of scopolamine and inhibition of AChE activity.
Highlights
E. coccinae (SIMS) G. (Asteraceae) is an annual plant commonly found throughout the plain of the Central Africa and widely used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of fever and convulsions in children
Foyet et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015) 15:333 damage to lipids and proteins and the decline of glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities correlate with the severity of the disease, suggesting that oxidative stress may be one of the alterations that occur during the initiation and development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [6, 7]
Effects of the extract in the Y-Maze task In Y-maze task, the hydroalcoholic extract of E. coccinae leaves significantly increased the spontaneous alternation behavior in rats with cognitive deficit-induced by scopolamine after eight days administration compared to the control group, (F (4, 12) = 3.25, P < 0.0102) (Fig. 1)
Summary
E. coccinae (SIMS) G. (Asteraceae) is an annual plant commonly found throughout the plain of the Central Africa and widely used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of fever and convulsions in children. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae on memory in scopolamine treated rats and to propose possible mechanisms of action. Recent studies have speculated that free radicals produced during oxidative stress and/or inflammatory processes are pathologically important in AD [4]. Accumulation of free radical damage and alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase have been observed in the central nervous system of AD patients [5]. Foyet et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2015) 15:333 damage to lipids and proteins and the decline of glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities correlate with the severity of the disease, suggesting that oxidative stress may be one of the alterations that occur during the initiation and development of AD [6, 7]. Very few of them have obtained the final approvals in most countries
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
