Ameliorative effect of Cleome gynandra Linn against scopolamine induced amnesia in mice

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate various extracts of leaves of Cleome gynandra L for its memory enhancing ability. The exteroceptive behavioral models such as elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, Radial arm maze, Y maze and Open field test were used to evaluate the learning and memory, whereas scopolamine is the natural ageing inducing amnesia served as interoceptive models. Parameters like Escape Latency Time (ELT), Time Spent in Target Quadrant (TSTQ), Transfer latency (TL), Peripheral movements and Rearings alternation to estimate the short-term memory and determination of brain Acetyl cholinesterase and β-Amyloid protein levels. The activity was compared with standard drug Piracetam. Single dose of (200mg/kg/oral) various extracts were orally administered for eighteen successive days in separate groups of animals and the doses were selected according to the animal weight. The activity was compared with standard drug Piracetam. Among different extracts, ethanolic ex- tract has significantly improved the learning and memory in mice. Furthermore, the single dose of ethanolic extract was significantly reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4mg/kg I.P). The presence of steroids, Flavonoides and potent antioxidant property of ethanolic extract of leaf of Cleome gynandra L. may be contributing favorably to memory enhancement effect. Since scopolamine induced amnesia was reversed by Cleome gynandra L., it is possible that the beneficial effect on learning and memory was due to facilitation of cholinergic transmission and inhibition of β-Amyloid levels in mouse brain.