Antiamnesic potential of Murraya koenigii leaves.
Murraya koenigii leaves commonly known as curry patta are added routinely to Indian gravy and vegetarian dishes as a favorite condiment. The effects of Murraya koenigii leaves (MKL) on cognitive functions, total serum cholesterol level and brain cholinesterase activity in young and aged mice fed orally with a diet containing 2%, 4% and 8% w/w of MKL for 30 days consecutively, were investigated. The memory scores were measured using various exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models. The MKL diets produced a significant dose-dependent improvement in the memory scores of young and aged mice and significantly reduced the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Also, brain cholinesterase activity and total cholesterol levels were reduced by the MKL diets. The underlying mechanism of action for the observed nootropic effect may be attributed to pro-cholinergic activity and a cholesterol lowering property. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to investigate specifically the therapeutic potential of MKL in the management of Alzheimer patients.
Vasudevan
Mani
M
Department of Pharmacology, Nandha College of Pharmacy, Koorapalayam Pirivu, Pitchandampalayam (PO), Erode-District, Tamilnadu 638 052, India. vasumpharmacol@yahoo.co.uk
Parle
Milind
M
D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000378:metabolism; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D032101:Murraya / Q000737:chemistry*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D018697:Nootropic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D012601:Scopolamine; D002802:Cholinesterases; D003975:Diazepam