Memory Enhancing Activity Research Articles

Schinus terebinthifolius Essential Oil Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits via Cholinergic Modulation and Antioxidant Properties in a Zebrafish Model.

Schinus terebinthifolius is a plant well recognized for its therapeutic profile such as anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities, promoting antibacterial activity and antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. This study aimed at examining whether Schinus terebinthifolius memory-enhancing activities are mediated by cholinergic and brain antioxidant systems in a scopolamine zebrafish model. Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil (10, 25, and 50 μL/L) was delivered to zebrafish by immersion in water for 8 days. Memory deficits were induced by scopolamine (100 μM) administration. Zebrafish were divided into seven groups (n = 15/group): vehicle group, scopolamine (100 μM) group, Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil groups (STF; 10, 25, and 50 μL/L), the imipramine group (IMP; 20 mg/L, as the positive control in the NTT test), and the donepezil group (DP; 10 mg/L, as the positive control in the Y-maze test). Memory status was estimated by the novel tank diving test (NTT) and the Y-maze test and finally was validated by comparison with imipramine (20 mg/L) and donepezil (10 mg/L). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to detect oil compounds. Brain levels of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antioxidant enzymes were measured. After being exposed to Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil, the scopolamine zebrafish exhibited an improvement of memory processes in the NTT and Y-maze tests. The essential oil attenuated the elevated level of AChE and brain oxidative stress. Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil was found to support memory formation through the inhibition of the AChE activity and decreasing oxidative stress in the scopolamine-treated zebrafish brains.

Cortico-Hippocampal Memory Enhancing Activity of Hesperetin on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Mice: Role of Antioxidant Defense Systems, Cholinergic Neurotransmission and Expression of BDNF

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age related neurodegenerative disease causing severe cognitive and memory decline in elderly people. Flavonoids play neuroprotective role by inhibiting and/or modifying the self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) or tau peptide into oligomers and fibrils. This study sought to investigate the effect of hesperetin (HPT) on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. Mice were orally pretreated with HPT (1, 5 or 50 mg/kg) or vehicle (normal saline; 10 ml/kg) for 3 consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 5 min before locomotor activity (open field test) and memory function (novel object recognition test (NORT) for 2 consecutive days and Morris water maze task (MWM) for 5 consecutive days). Levels of oxidative stress markers / brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase activity were determined in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after completion of MWM task. Scopolamine caused no significant change in mice exploration of the familiar or novel object in the test session whereas the HPT-treated mice spent more time exploring the novel object more than familiar object in NORT. Scopolamine also increased the escape latency in acquisition phase and decreases time spent in target quadrant in probe phase which were ameliorated by the pretreatment with HPT. Scopolamine-induced alteration of oxidant-antioxidant balance, acetylcholinesterase activity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were attenuated by HPT treatment. This study showed that HPT ameliorated non-spatial/spatial learning and memory impairment by scopolamine possibly through enhancement of antioxidant defense, cholinergic and BDNF signaling.

Ethanolic Extract of Orthosiphon stamineus Improves Memory in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia Model.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative brain disease which is characterized by impairment in cognitive functioning. Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) Benth. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant found around Southeast Asia that has been employed as treatments for various diseases. OS extract contains many active compounds that have been shown to possess various pharmacological properties whereby in vitro studies have demonstrated neuroprotective as well as cholinesterase inhibitory effects. This study, therefore aimed at determining whether this Malaysian plant derived flavonoid can reverse scopolamine induced learning and memory dysfunction in the novel object recognition (NOR) test and the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. In the present study, rats were treated once daily with OS 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and donepezil 1 mg/kg via oral dosing and were given intraperitoneal (ip) injection of scopolamine 1 mg/kg daily to induce cognitive deficits. Rats were subjected to behavioral analysis to assess learning and memory functions and hippocampal tissues were extracted for gene expression and immunohistochemistry studies. All the three doses demonstrated improved scopolamine-induced impairment by showing shortened transfer latency as well as the higher inflexion ratio when compared to the negative control group. OS extract also exhibited memory-enhancing activity against chronic scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the long-term memory novel object recognition performance as indicated by an increase in the recognition index. OS extract was observed to have modulated the mRNA expression of CREB1, BDNF, and TRKB genes and pretreatment with OS extract were observed to have increased the immature neurons against hippocampal neurogenesis suppressed by scopolamine, which was confirmed by the DCX-positive stained cells. These research findings suggest that the OS ethanolic extract demonstrated an improving effect on memory and hence could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

Evaluation of Vigilance Promoting Drugs Modafinil and Caffeine on Cognition Enhancing Activities in Wistar Albino Rats-A Comparative Study

Learning process can’t be made simple unless one is wakeful/attentive/aware of present situations. Worldwide, it is known fact that behavioral modulating actions of Caffeine is used in many common beverages, likewise modafinil appears to promote a possible facilitatory effect on cognitive function perhaps that is the primary reason why is it is been used in narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, shiftwork and Jet lag syndrome. The rationale for conducting this animal experiment was to exploit/evaluate the vigilance promoting pharmacological actions of modafinil and compare with caffeine and rivastigmine. It promising agent for various indications like cognitive dysfunctional disorders, chronic alcoholism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. Two drugs modafinil 75mg/kg and caffeine 10mg/kg were used as test drugs and rivastigmine 5mg/kg as standard cognition enhancing and scopolamine 0.5mg/kg to induce amnesia in Wistar albino rats. Three different experimental models were used to screen the memory enhancing activities. The ability of the rats to retain chronic and working memory were screened by standard experiments like T-Maze and passive avoidance respectively. Morris water and T-Maze were used to test navigation and spatial task memory enhancing activities respectively. Total 72 rats were used in the study, 4 groups in each model, and 6 rats in each group. The obtained data were denoted as mean values and statistically analyzed by One-way ANOVA using SPSS 20.0 software. Both the test drugs and rivastigmine treated rats exhibited significant anti- amnesic activities among all three models compared to control (P<0.05). In passive avoidance, rivastigmine ranked maximum in memory retention abilities (17.83), whereas in modafinil treated rats showed similar results however; the rank of increased latency time (15.33 s) was not comparable with caffeine (13.17 s). In T-maze, the no. of mean correct spontaneous and rewarded alternations exhibited by caffeine and modafinil treated rats were 16.50±0.50 and 15.83±0.60 respectively and were comparable to the rivastigmine treated rats. In Morris water maze test, all three drugs caffeine, modafinil and rivastigmine treated group showed significant difference compared to the control. However, caffeine treated rats exhibited statistically significant (P<0.01) least escape latency time at probe trial compared to other groups and rats treated with modafinil showed maximum time in the probe quadrant by 27.37 s. The total amount of time spent in the probe quadrant and escape latency in caffeine and modafinil treated rats were comparable to rivastigmine treated rats.

Isoorientin improves scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments by restoring the cholinergic system, antioxidant defense, and p-CREB/BDNF signaling in the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Isoorientin (ISO) is considered one of the most important flavonoids with various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Despite these beneficial activities, the effects of ISO on learning and memory have not been investigated so far. The current study evaluated the memory-enhancing effects of ISO in a scopolamine-treated mouse model by using the Y-maze and passive avoidance tests. The results showed that ISO (5 and 10mg/kg, p.o.) treatment significantly improved the cognitive impairments caused by scopolamine. Additionally, ISO significantly decreased scopolamine-induced acetylcholinesterase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance activities in both the hippocampus and frontal cortex of mice. In addition, ISO significantly increased the levels of total superoxide dismutase induced by scopolamine in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Moreover, Western blot results indicated that ISO reversed the decreases in expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of scopolamine-treated mice. Thus, our results provide initial evidence that ISO ameliorates scopolamine-induced memory and cognitive impairments partly by restoring the cholinergic system, antioxidant defense, and p-CREB/BDNF signaling pathway, thereby exhibiting memory-enhancing activities.

P3‐098: NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF HELIANTUS ANNUS SEEDS IN EXPERIMENTAL MICE

Two doses (100 mg / kg and 200 mg / kg po) of Heliantus annus seed extract were evaluated for memory enhancement activity compared to scopolamine-induced amnesia (1 mg / kg, ip) in mice. Piracetam (400 mg / kg i.p) was used as a standard in both models. Anticholinesterase activity was assessed as biochemical estimation. The elevated plus maze served as the simple behavioral model which has been used from decades to evaluate learning and memory in mice. The apparatus consisted of two open arms (16 cm × 5 cm) and two covered arms (16 cm × 5 cm × 12 cm) facing each other with an open roof.Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured by the method of Ellman.A photometric method for determining acetyl cholinesterase activity of tissue extracts. High doses produced a high significance (P˂0.01) and low doses produced a slight significant effect (P˂0.05) compared to the amnestic group induced by scopolamine, on day 19 and day 27. Young animals treated with doses Low and high levels showed a marked reduction of TL during day 19 and day 27 as part of learning and a noticeable reduction of TL on day 20 and day 28 as part of conservation (memory). Taken together, it indicates a significant improvement in learning and memory. The scopolamine (1 mg / kg, p.p.) injected before training significantly increased TL on days 19 and 27, indicating a decline in learning and memory. The results and statistical analysis of changes in the concentration of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) in the homogenate of the whole brain of mice isolated after administration of Heliantus annus seed extract. The low dose of Heliantus annus seed extract 100 mg/kg (p.o) produced slight significance (P˂0.05) and high dose 200 mg/ kg (p.o) produced highly significant effect (P˂0.01) on cholinesterase activity in young mice as compared to control group by using Ellman's kinetic colorimetric method. Heliantus annus seed extracts were possess memory enhancing as well as possess neuroprotective activity at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg.

The memory and learning enhancing effects of Atristamine

The object of the present study, 2-methyl-3-(phenylaminomethyl)-1H-quinolin-4-one (Atristamine), has been deeply studied as a promising antidepressant with the unique spectrum of additional neuropharmacological properties. Previously, the memory-enhancing effects of Atristamine have already been studied in the passive-avoidance test after scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. Thus, the study of the effects of Atristamine on the spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze under physiological conditions was the next logical step of our research. According to the results obtained, Atristamine (100 mg/kg) has almost the same effect on the main markers of the memory-enhancing activity (the escape latency and distance moved) as Piracetam (300 mg/kg) and Phenibut (20 mg/kg) chosen as the well-studied and widely-used memory enhancers. The escape latency decreased in the Atristamine group by 3.2 times compared to the vehicle control group, whereas Piracetam and Phenibut caused a significant reduction of this indicator by 4.3 and 3.7 times, respectively. Moreover, the rats from the Atristamine group swam 5.1 times shorter distance to the platform in the probe trial compared to animals from the vehicle control group. The distance moved was 3-fold shorter in the Piracetam group and decreased by 5.2 times in the Phenibut group. All drugs used in this study caused considerable changes of inter-quadrant preferences of animals. Based on the analysis of the inter-quadrant behaviour of rats, it has been found that there are considerable differences in search strategies associated, probably, with distinct mechanisms of the memory and learning enhancing action of the drugs used.

UJI AKTIVITAS PENINGKAT DAYA INGAT FRAKSI ETIL ASETAT EKSTRAK ETANOL BUAH KEMUKUS (Piper cubeba L. f) PADA MENCIT JANTAN GALUR BALB/C DENGAN METODE RADIAL ARM MAZE (RAM)

ABSTRACTNeurodegenerative is often associated with aging. The aging process will affect the decrease in nerve cells, especially brain nerve cells. Ethyl acetate fraction of kemukus fruit ethanol extract (FEAEE) of kemukus fruit has been investigated as a memory enhancer with the Morris water maze (MWM) method. One of the shortcomings of the Morris water maze method is that it causes stress in test animals, thus affecting their memory. This study aims to determine the memory enhancing activity of FEAEE of kemukus fruit with the radial arm maze method This research is an experimental study with pre and posttest matched control group design using 25 male mice, Balb/c strains divided into 5 groups. Mice group 1 as a negative control group were given a 1% CMC Na solution of 17.5 mg/mL. Group mice 2 - 5 were given FEAEE of kemukus fruit with doses of 63, 126, 252, and 504 mg/kgBB, respectively. Test material is given orally for 21 days. Observations were made on the frequency of mice passing the platform correctly and incorrectly and calculating memory scores using the radial arm maze (RAM) method. Differences in memory scores were analyzed by the Mann Whitney test. The results showed that FEAEE steamed fruit has memory enhancing activity. Memory activity was indicated at doses of 63 and 252 mg / kg.Keywords: steamed fruit (Piper cubeba, L. f), ethyl acetate fraction, memory score, radial arm maze

Evaluation of the Memory Enhancing Activity of Dichloromethane Fraction of the Methanolic Extract of Pycnanthus angolensis Stem Bark on Experimental Models of Memory Impairment.

Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warb., Myristicaceae, is used extensively in ethnomedicine. Numerous health benefits have been ascribed to the use of different parts of P. angolensis including its role in cognitive function and inflammatory conditions. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of stem bark of the plant on memory function in mice.The plant material was pulverized into powder and extracted by maceration with 80% methanol at room temperature for 48 h. This was subsequently fractionated using N-hexane, Dichloromethane (DCM) and Ethyl acetate. The Dichloromethane fraction which is the most potent fraction (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was evaluated for memory enhancing activity using the Y-maze (YMT), morris water maze (MWM) and the elevated plus maze (EPM) on D-galactose plus scopolamine and ketamine induced amnesia. The antioxidant markers and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibiting effect of DCM were also investigated.The results obtained from the behavioural study indicates that the DCM fraction significantly (p<0.05) increased alternation behaviour of mice in the YMT, decreased the escape latency in the MWM paradigm and decreased the transfer latency in the EPM. Biochemically, DCM increased glutathione, and superoxide dismutase, but decreased malondialdehyde and AChE activity in the brain.The findings therefore suggests that the DCM possesses significant memory enhancing activity, which may be due to enhancement of antioxidant activity and cholinergic transmission. The attenuation of the effect of ketamine by the DCM may possibly result from an increase in NMDA receptor mediated neurotransmission and attenuation of oxidative stress.

Cortico-hippocampal memory enhancing activity of hesperetin on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice: role of antioxidant defense system, cholinergic neurotransmission and expression of BDNF.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is an age related neurodegenerative disease causing severe cognitive and memory decline in elderly people. Flavonoids play neuroprotective role by inhibiting and/or modifying the self-assembly of the amyloid-β (Aβ) or tau peptide into oligomers and fibrils. This study sought to investigate the effect of hesperetin (HPT) on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice. Mice were orally pretreated with HPT (1, 5 or 50mg/kg) or vehicle (normal saline; 10ml/kg) for 3 consecutive days. One hour post-treatment on day 3, scopolamine (3mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 5min before locomotor activity (open field test) and memory function (novel object recognition test (NORT) for 2 consecutive days and Morris water maze task (MWM) for 5 consecutive days). Levels of oxidative stress markers / brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and acetylcholinesterase activity were determined in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after completion of MWM task. Scopolamine caused no significant change in mice exploration of the familiar or novel object in the test session whereas the HPT-treated mice spent more time exploring the novel object more than familiar object in NORT. Scopolamine also increased the escape latency in acquisition phase and decreases time spent in target quadrant in probe phase which were ameliorated by the pretreatment with HPT. Scopolamine-induced alteration of oxidant-antioxidant balance, acetylcholinesterase activity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were attenuated by HPT treatment. This study showed that HPT ameliorated non-spatial/spatial learning and memory impairment by scopolamine possibly through enhancement of antioxidant defense, cholinergic and BDNF signaling.

Shilajit (Mumie): Current Status of Biochemical, Therapeutic and Clinical Advances

Background: Shilajit (mumie), a natural multi-component herbomineral ethnomedicinal food, is used as a traditional medicine for enhancing the quality of life and for management of health ailments in many countries of the world. Use of Shilajit as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, rejuvenator and anti-aging substance is mentioned in many ancient texts. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into its biochemical aspects, microbial role in biosynthesis, bioactivities and to establish correlation between traditional uses and scientifically validated research findings. Methods: Scientific literature and ethnopharmacological information were compiled from the published peer-reviewed articles, unpublished materials, thesis, books, patent databases, clinical trial registries and from the websites of research councils of traditional medicine. The scientific databases, thesis repositories and books databases were searched with keywords Shilajit, mumie, mumijo, salajeet, asphaltum, fulvic acid, dibenzo-alpha-pyrones etc. Results: Scientifically validated research and ancient texts suggest multifaceted benefits of Shilajit. It is endowed with anti-stress, memory and energy enhancing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, spermatogenic, neuroprotective, antiulcer and wound healing activities. These pharmacological effects are mainly attributed to the presence of humic acid, fulvic acid, dibenzo-&amp;#945;-pyrones, dibenzo- &amp;#945;-pyrones chromoproteins and trace elements. Conclusion: This review summarizes the traditional importance of Shilajit for the treatment and prevention of several acute and chronic diseases and health ailments. Despite numerous health claims, there are still major gaps in our understanding of its mechanism of action, variability in efficacy and toxicity profile. Therefore, a coordinated interdisciplinary approach is needed to establish the underlying mechanisms of action, comprehensive toxicological profile, pharmacokinetics parameters and effects on different organ systems. Regulatory and governmental impetus to basic and clinical research, safety testing and formulations quality control is warranted.

EVALUATION OF MEMORY-ENHANCING ACTIVITY FOR ERYTHRININE FROM LEAF EXTRACT OF ERYTHRINA INDICA

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the memory-enhancing activity for erythrinine (ring-c-oxygenated Erythrina alkaloid) from leaf extract of Erythrina indica in mice.&#x0D; Methods: The study protocol designed in the way that it was carried out for 21 successive days by administrating the 5 mg/kg, s.c doses of isolated erythrinine to mice and the profile was challenged against the mice feeds with normal saline as a positive control and the mice treated with 5 mg/kg, s.c corticosterone as a negative control for the amnesia using Morris water maze test method.&#x0D; Results: Erythrinine-administered mice are showing remarkable retention of the memory (9.07±0.52) on the 21st day as such of the positive control normal saline (10.14±0.22) and against the negative control corticosterone-injected mice (70.86±0.54).&#x0D; Conclusions: The dose of 5 mg/kg s.c of isolated erythrinine from the leaf of E. indica shows the remarkable memory enhancement when it was investigated with the memory weakening induced test by corticosterone in mice’s using 5 mg/kg s.c. However, further studies required to elucidate the exact mechanism of action for developing its as potent memory-enhancing drug.

Assessment of 1, 3, 4- Oxadiazole Derivatives for Memory Enhancing Activity

Assessment of 1, 3, 4- Oxadiazole Derivatives for Memory Enhancing Activity

Tetraclinis articulata essential oil mitigates cognitive deficits and brain oxidative stress in an Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis model

BackgroundTetraclinis articulata is used in traditional medicine and has been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of T. articulata essential oil on memory and brain oxidative stress in amyloid-β peptide 1–42 (Aβ1-42)-induced an Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis model. Moreover, the underlying mechanism for memory enhancement and antioxidant activity was investigated, thus supporting its traditional use with scientific evidence for further studies. MethodsT. articulata essential oil was administered by inhalation to male Wistar rats once daily for 15 min period at doses of 1% and 3% for 21 days after the intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ1-42 right-unilaterally to induce memory deficits. The chemical composition of the essential oil was done by GC-MS and GC-FID. Spatial memory of rats was tested using Y-maze and radial arm maze tests. The possible underlying mechanism for memory improvement exhibited by T. articulata essential oil was investigated by in vivo brain antioxidant effect and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect. In vitro, experimental evaluations were assessed through DPPH and ABTS tests. ResultsThe GC-MS and GC-FID data showed that the essential oil has a high percent of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Also, we demonstrated the essential oil reversed the Aβ1-42-induced decreasing of the spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze test and the Aβ1-42-induced increasing of the working and reference memory errors in the radial arm maze test. Furthermore, the Aβ1-42-decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity and the oxidant-antioxidant status in the rat hippocampus was retrieved by the treatment with the essential oil. ConclusionThe study demonstrates that the essential oil could be a potent pharmacological agent against dementia by modulating cholinergic activity and promoting antioxidant action in the rat hippocampus.

Essential Oils as Treatment Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease: Current and Future Perspectives.

Alzheimer's disease is a multifarious neurodegenerative disease that causes cognitive impairment and gradual memory loss. Several hypotheses have been put forward to postulate its pathophysiology. Currently, few drugs are available for the management of Alzheimer's disease and the treatment provides only symptomatic relief. Our aim is to review the relevant in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies focused toward the potential uses of essential oils in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar from April 1998 to June 2018 were explored to collect data. We have conducted wide search on various essential oils used in different models of Alzheimer's disease. Out of 55 essential oils identified for Alzheimer's intervention, 28 have been included in the present review. A short description of in vivo studies of 13 essential oils together with clinical trial data of Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulifolia, Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, and Rosmarinus officinalis have been highlighted. In vitro studies of remaining essential oils that possess antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential are also mentioned. Our literary survey revealed encouraging results regarding the various essential oils being studied in preclinical and clinical studies of Alzheimer's disease with significant effects in modulating the pathology through anti-amyloid, antioxidants, anticholinesterase, and memory-enhancement activity.

Memory enhancing, anticholinesterase and antimicrobial activities of β-phenylnitroethane and essential oil of Dennettia tripetala Baker f

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDennettia tripetala Baker f. belonging to the family Annonaceae is an important food and medicinal plant used in some local communities in Southwest Nigeria. Aims of the studyThe study aims at determining the chemical composition of the essential oil of different morphological parts of D. tripetala, the memory enhancing and anticholinesterase activities as well as the antimicrobial properties. Materials and methodsEssential oil of the morphological parts namely the fresh fruits, dried fruits, dried seeds and fresh leaves were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The oil samples were evaluated for memory enhancement using Y-maze and in vitro anticholinesterase activities. The antimicrobial properties were also evaluated by nutrient broth method. ResultsGC analysis identifies β-ocimene, linalool, β-phenylnitroethane and humulene as common constituents of the fresh fruits, dried fruits, dried seeds and fresh leaves. β-Phenylnitroethane (BPNE) was the predominant constituent of all the parts; with the dried seed containing 87.4% BPNE, followed by the dried fruit (78.1%), fresh leaf (62.9%) and the fresh fruit content was 61.6%. The second most predominant constituent, linalool, was highest in the fresh fruit (29.9%), followed by the fresh leaf (16.0%), the dried fruit (14.9%) and the dried seed had least linalool content (8.8%). (Z)- β-Ocimene and humulene were other common components. The seed oil and BPNE exhibited high memory enhancing activities in the Y-maze test. However, the seed oil exhibited the best inhibition against the test bacteria and it had a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Bioactivities demonstrated by the various essential oils were not solely due to BPNE; rather, synergistic effects of other components are quite obvious. ConclusionThe most abundant component - β-phenylnitroethane of D. tripetala was totally responsible for its memory enhancing properties but could not solely account for its antimicrobial activity.

EVALUATION OF LEARNING AND MEMORY ENHANCING ACTIVITY OF COCCINIA GRANDIS FRUITS IN RATS

Objectives: To assess the learning and memory enhancing activity of the Coccinia grandis fruits in rats using Elevated plus maze (EPM), Hebb-William maze (HWM) and Morris water maze (MWM ) and to evaluate brain Acetylcholine esterase activity, lipid peroxidation, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Wistar rats (100-150 gm) of either sex, were divided into 5 groups (n=6). Group-I (control) animals received vehicle, Group-II animals received diazepam(1 mg/kg i.p), Groups III ,IV and V animals received Coccinia grandis- 500 mg/kg p.o, 1000 mg/kg p.o and Piracetam (400 mg/kg i.p) respectively for 27 days, followed by diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p) single dose on 19th and 27th day. Assessment of transfer latency (TL), time taken to reach reward chamber (TRC) and swim latency (SL) was done on 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 27th day using EPM, HWM and MWM respectively. Rats were sacrificed on 28th day, brain acetylcholine esterase activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase levels were estimated. The data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.&#x0D; Result: Coccinia grandis decreased TL, TRC and SL in comparison to diazepam treated rats, decreased acetylcholine esterase activity and lipid peroxidation, and increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase in brain.&#x0D; Conclusion: The Coccinia grandis enhanced learning and memory activity. This nootropic effect can be attributed to their antioxidant and neuroprotective property.&#x0D; Keywords: Memory, EPM, HWM, MWM, Piracetam, Diazepam.

C5aR1 promotes acute cystitis induced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli in mice

Dennettia tripetala Baker f. belonging to the family Annonaceae is an important food and medicinal plant used in some local communities in Southwest Nigeria.The study aims at determining the chemical composition of the essential oil of different morphological parts of D. tripetala, the memory enhancing and anticholinesterase activities as well as the antimicrobial properties.Essential oil of the morphological parts namely the fresh fruits, dried fruits, dried seeds and fresh leaves were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The oil samples were evaluated for memory enhancement using Y-maze and in vitro anticholinesterase activities. The antimicrobial properties were also evaluated by nutrient broth method.GC analysis identifies β-ocimene, linalool, β-phenylnitroethane and humulene as common constituents of the fresh fruits, dried fruits, dried seeds and fresh leaves. β-Phenylnitroethane (BPNE) was the predominant constituent of all the parts; with the dried seed containing 87.4% BPNE, followed by the dried fruit (78.1%), fresh leaf (62.9%) and the fresh fruit content was 61.6%. The second most predominant constituent, linalool, was highest in the fresh fruit (29.9%), followed by the fresh leaf (16.0%), the dried fruit (14.9%) and the dried seed had least linalool content (8.8%). (Z)- β-Ocimene and humulene were other common components. The seed oil and BPNE exhibited high memory enhancing activities in the Y-maze test. However, the seed oil exhibited the best inhibition against the test bacteria and it had a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Bioactivities demonstrated by the various essential oils were not solely due to BPNE; rather, synergistic effects of other components are quite obvious.The most abundant component - β-phenylnitroethane of D. tripetala was totally responsible for its memory enhancing properties but could not solely account for its antimicrobial activity.

Amelioration of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment by Lemon oil in experimental model of Stressed mice

Citrous lemon (Rutaceae) an Indian folk medicine has been used for the treatment of various pathological diseases viz., diabetes, cardiovascular, inflammation, hepatobiliary dysfunction and neurodegenerative disorder. Can lemon oil altered the memory of unstressed and stressed mice, a basic question for which the present work was put on trial. The present investigation was intended to assess the impact of Lemon oil on memory of unstressed and Stressed Swiss young Albino mice. Lemon oil (50 and 100 mg/kg o.r.) and donepezil (10 mg/kg) were guided for three weeks to different groups of stressed and unstressed mice. The nootropic movement was assessed utilizing elevated plus maze and Hebbs Williams Maze. Cerebrum acetylcholinesterase (AChE), plasmacorticosterone, decreased glutathione, lipid per oxidation alongside superoxide dismutase and catalase was surveyed as marker for disease. Histopathology was performed for estimation of drug effects. Acute immobilized stress was induce, lemon oil (100 mg/kg) and donepezil together indicated memory enhancing movement both in stressed and unstressed mice. Lemon oil significantly (p < 0.001) altered and lowered brain AChE activity both in stressed and unstressed mice. Scopolamine induced amnesia was also significantly altered and reversed both in stressed and unstressed mice by lemon oil at a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Lemon oil (50 and 100 mg/kg) was further able to control the corticosterone level in plasma for stressed mice. Lemon oil significantly (p < 0.001) elevated the level of catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione levels both in stressed and unstressed animals with respect to controlled group along with TBARS both in stressed and unstressed compared with control group. Hence it can be concluded that memory enhancing activity might be related to reduction in AChE and TBARS activity and by elevated GSH, SOD and catalase through decrease in raised plasma corticosterone levels

DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID ADMINISTRATION AMELIORATES SCOPOLAMINE-INDUCED MEMORY IMPAIRMENT IN MICE

Objective: The main objective of this work was to study the memory-enhancing activity of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in normal memory function and scopolamine-induced impaired memory in mice.Methods: The gum acacia suspension of DHA was administered by gavage at the dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg in mice for 30 days to evaluate memory-enhancing potential on normal and scopolamine-induced impaired memory in albino mice. Escape latency in Morris water maze (MWM) and transfer latency (TL) in elevated plus maze (EPM) were recorded, respectively. Mice were given four trial sessions per day to locate the platform for 4 days in MWM model. Scopolamine 1 mg/kg was injected i.p. to produce memory impairment in mice.Result: DHA suspension at the dose of 300 mg/kg showed significant reduction of escape latency and TL as compared to control group, and the effect was comparable to that of standard nootropic agent piracetam at the dose of 100 mg/kg in normal and scopolamine-treated mice. However, DHA at the dose of 200 mg/kg showed significant memory-enhancing effect in only scopolamine-induced impaired memory model.Conclusion: The study revealed that the chronic administration of DHA exhibited significant memory-enhancing activity against both normal as well as scopolamine-treated impaired memory mice groups, however, this effect was more marked on scopolamine-induced memory impairment as compared to normal memory function.