Evaluating the Combined Cognitive Enhancement Effect of Brassica Juncea and Cynadon Dactylon Extract in Scopolamine Induced Amnesia Zebrafish Model

Abstract

Etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unknown, but paucity in cholinergic transmission is one of the factors implicated in the cognitive decline. Brassica juncea (BJ) and Cynadon dactylon (CD) have cholinesterase inhibitory property. This study was performed to evaluate the combined effects of CD and BJ extract on cognition, using scopolamine induced amnesia zebrafish model. In this study, we used five groups, each having ten zebrafishes i.e. the control group, scopolamine group, BJ extract treated (0.04 mg) group, CD extract treated (0.2 mg) group and BJ + CD extract treated group. Inhibitory avoidance task, exploratory assessment, and social interaction tests were performed for behavioral analysis. ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the analysis and P value <0.05 was considered statistically noteworthy. Change in the retention of memory was not significant in both control and scopolamine treated groups. Combination of extract (BJ + CD) prevented scopolamine induced amnesia. Also, a significant difference was detected in the combination group for distance travelled; time spent in the upper half of the tank, as compared with control, individual extract and scopolamine groups. A small decline in social interaction was observed in animals treated with individual plant extracts. However, the combination extract did not change social interaction much, when compared with the control group. Combination of Brassica juncea methanolic extract (BJME) and Cyanadon dactylon aqueous extract (CDAE) is responsible for cognitive enhancement in scopolamine induced amnesia in the zebrafish model.