Evaluation of the efficacy of Brahmi ghrita in scopolamine induced amnesia in rats using Cook's pole apparatus

Abstract

Background: Memory is the process, in which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved. Age, overstress, emotions can result in an impairment of memory. This may also be a symptom of various neuro-degenerative disorders. The objective of this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment of Brahmi ghrita on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats using cook’s pole apparatus. Methods: Following Institutional Animal Ethics Committee permission, the study was conducted in Wistar rats (150-225 gms) of either sex. Brahmi ghrita (450 mg/kg) was administered for 15 days as a pre-treatment. Scopolamine (30 mg/kg bw, i.p.) was injected on day 16 and the effect of Brahmi ghrita was studied using Cook’s pole apparatus. Parameters assessed were number of conditional avoidance responses (CAR), unconditional responses and no response out of 30 sessions, serum MDA, and brain MDA and brain acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Piracetam, a known nootropic was used as a positive control. Results: Scopolamine as expected showed a decrease in CAR as compared to normal control after 4 hours and, after 24 hours. Brahmi ghrita significantly improved the conditioned avoidance response (CAR), at both 4 and 24 hours, demonstrating its memory protective effect. Piracetam also showed decrease in CAR. Brahmi ghrita improved the serum and brain MDA levels significantly as compared to the Scopolamine. However Piracetam further augmented the oxidative stress induced by scopolamine. Brahmi ghrita also decreased the AChE activity (increased by scopolamine administration) emphasizing its memory protective effect. Piracetam was seen to increase the AChE activity. Conclusions: Thus, the study demonstrated the efficacy of Brahmi ghrita as an anti-amnestic, anti-oxidant and AChE inhibitor.