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.
Department of Pharmacology, Nandha College of Pharmacy, Koorapalayam Pirivu, Pitchandampalayam (PO), Erode-District, Tamilnadu 638 052, India. vasumpharmacol@yahoo.co.uk
Mani
M
Vasudevan
Milind
M
Parle
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