MEMORY ENHANCING ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA LEAVES

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate the effect of Terminalia catappa on cognitive functions and cholinesterase (ChE) activity in scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. The extract of Terminalia catappa was administered orally at three doses (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg) for 7 and 14 consecutive days to the respective groups of rats. Piracetam (120 mg/kg) was used as a standard nootropic agent. Learning and memory parameters were evaluated using elevated plus maze (EPM) and passive avoidance. Brain cholinesterase activity was evaluated. It was observed that Terminalia catappa at the above- mentioned doses after 7 and 14 days of administration in the respective groups significantly reversed scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.)- induced amnesia, as evidenced by a decrease in the transfer latency in the EPM task and step-down latency in the passive avoidance task. Terminalia catappa reduced the brain ChE activity in rats.