Abstract
BackgroundTerminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used in the treatment of diabetes, immunodeficiency diseases, and stomach ulcer in Asia. However, the anti-amnesic effect of T. chebula has not yet been investigated. The present study was designed to determine whether T. chebula extract (TCE) alleviates amnesia induced by scopolamine in mice. We also investigated possible mechanisms associated with cholinergic system and anti-oxidant effects.MethodsTCE (100 or 200 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice for fourteen days (days 1–14), and scopolamine was intraperitoneally injected to induce memory impairment for seven days (days 8–14). Learning and memory status were evaluated using the Morris water maze. Hippocampal levels of acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were measured ex vivo. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus were also examined.ResultsIn the Morris water maze task, TCE treatment reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in acquisition and retention. TCE reduced hippocampal AChE activities and increased ChAT and ACh levels in the scopolamine-induced model. Moreover, TCE treatment suppressed scopolamine-induced oxidative damage by ameliorating the increased levels of ROS, NO, and MDA.ConclusionThese findings suggest that TCE exerts potent anti-amnesic effects via cholinergic modulation and anti-oxidant activity, thus providing evidence for its potential as a cognitive enhancer for amnesia.
Highlights
Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used in the treatment of diabetes, immunodeficiency diseases, and stomach ulcer in Asia
Mouse body weights were measured on days 1 through 14 during treatment with T. chebula extract (TCE), donepezil, and scopolamine; no significant differences were found among the different groups
The Morris water maze test was performed to determine whether TCE attenuates learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine
Summary
Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) is a traditional herbal medicine that is widely used in the treatment of diabetes, immunodeficiency diseases, and stomach ulcer in Asia. The anti-amnesic effect of T. chebula has not yet been investigated. We investigated possible mechanisms associated with cholinergic system and anti-oxidant effects. The hippocampus and cortex are heavily involved in maintaining and regulating memory; changes in levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), which is released via cholinergic projections to these areas from the basal forebrain, have been reported to affect cognitive function and have been implicated in memory loss [2]. Kim et al BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2018) 18:136 cognitive decline [4]. These drugs have short half-lives and adverse reactions, including hepatotoxicity and nausea [5]. Medicinal herbs and plants exhibit fewer side effects and drug interactions [6]; identifying effective alternative medicines could yield valuable contributions to the treatment of amnesia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
