Relationship of brain antioxidant protection of aged mice with memory enhancing efficiency of Aegiceras corniculatum leaves

Abstract

The present study was investigated the brain antioxidant status and the memory enhancing efficiency of methanolic extract of Aegiceras corniculatum (AC) leaves in mice. The effects of 7-day oral administration of extracts at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg BW were examined in both adult and aged group of mice. The memory enhancing activity was assessed by passive avoidance (PA) test and Morris water maze test (MWM). Amnesia was induced by scopolamine in MWM test. Both groups were subdivided into three groups (n = 10/groups) for PA test and five groups (n = 5/groups) for MWM test. Instantly after experiment, mice brain homogenates were subjected to determination of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In PA test, both doses were significantly increased step through and escape latencies in both group of mice, whereas in MWM test, AC extract also significantly attenuated the effects of scopolamine compared to negative control animals in respective models. Additionally, the highest levels of SOD, CAT, GSH and GST were observed in the aged groups, whereas GR and GSHpx were observed in the adult groups. Moreover, AChE, TBARS and ROS levels were significantly decreased in both groups of mice in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological analysis also showed the protected effect of AC. These findings together that A. corniculatum has potent antioxidant properties, capable of enhancing cognitive function in both adult and aged mice.