Neuroprotective Potentials of Cocculus hirsutus Leaf Extract Against 6,7-Epoxytropine Tropate-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats
Uma Sankar Gorla1,*
, GSN Koteswara Rao1, Umasankar Kulandaivelu1, Rajasekhar Reddy Alavala1, Siva Prasad Panda1 and Rajkiran Kolakota21College of Pharmacy, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
2Vignan Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: umasankargorla@gmail.com
Abstract: Cocculus hirsutus, a tropical South Asian creeper,traditionally used as a diuretic, laxative, cardiotonic, anti-microbial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and spermatogenic. However, the neuroprotective role was less explored; therefore, this researchwas conducted to investigate neuroprotective potentials of Cocculus hirsutus leaf hydroalcoholic extract in 6,7-Epoxytropine tropate (Scopolamine) induced cognitive impairment and oxidative lipid peroxidation in the brain of wistar albino rat. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) was given in rats for 14 days to induce transient cognitive impairment. Donepezil (2 mg/kg body weight, orally) has been used for this research as a positive control. Behavioral studies were done using Morris water maze and elevated plus maze and neurobiochemical parameters such as acetylcholinesterase activity, reduced glutathione levels and activity of catalase were assessed in rats brain homogenate. Cocculus hirsutus leaf hydroalcoholic extract(200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) exhibited an improvement in spatial, exteroceptive learning and memory. The extract showed significant decline in the activity of acetylcholinesterase, enhancement of reduced glutathione levels and catalase activity (p<0.001). All the outcomes were assessed by Bonferroni post hoc tests with ANOVA for multiple comparison studies. This study reveals that hydroalcoholic extract of Cocculus hirsutusleaf acts as neuroprotective against scopolamine induced behavioral and neurobiochemical changes.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Acetylcholinesterase, Behavioral Studies, Cocculus hirsutus, Scopolamine. Back to TOC