In‐vitro neuronal cell proliferation and in‐vivo neuroprotective activity of pinus roxburghii for memory and cognition

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundPinus roxburghii Sarg. is traditionally used as a nerve tonic, hemostatic and anticonvulsant. The present study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective activity of P. roxburghii stem bark for memory and cognition using in‐vitro and in‐vivo methods.MethodPlant drug was extracted with methanol using Soxhlet extraction. In‐vitro cell viability activity of P. roxburghii was assessed using PC‐12 cell lines. The in‐vivo neuroprotective activity of P. roxburghii was tested on Wistar albino rats (either sex) and ICV‐STZ (3 mg/kg, bilateral) was given to cause memory deficit. HPTLC fingerprinting was performed for the presence of quercetin and gallic acid in the plant extract.ResultThe phytochemical testing of extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and tannins. P. roxburghii showed significant cell viability at 10, 50 and 100 µg/ml in an in‐vitro test on PC‐12 cell lines. In the in‐vivo activity, ICV‐STZ caused significant deterioration in memory and cognition, tissue oxidative stress and AchE activity. P. roxburghii 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o. and donepezil (3 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p<0.05) reversed the behavioral changes in rats when tested on morris water maze and elevated plus maze. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation, AchE activity and decreased the level of glutathione were significantly (p<0.05) antagonized by P. roxburghii, similar to donepezil in rat brain. Quercetin and gallic acid were identified quantitatively in the plant extract in HPTLC study.ConclusionThe methanolic extract of P. roxburghii ameliorated ICV‐STZ induced cognitive deficits and memory impairment possibly due to the presence of quercetin and gallic acid.