title: In vitro and ex-vivo cellular antioxidant protection and cognitive enhancing effects of an extract of Polygonum minus Huds (Lineminus™) demonstrated in a Barnes Maze animal model for memory and learning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polygonum minus Huds.is a culinary flavouring that is common in South East Asian cuisine and as a remedy for diverse maladies ranging from indigestion to poor eyesight. The leaves of this herb have been reported to be high in antioxidants. Flavonoids which have been associated with memory, cognition and protection against neurodegeneration were found in P. minus.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined a P. minus aqueous extract (Lineminus™) for its antioxidant activity using the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay, the ex vivo Cellular Antioxidant Protection of erythrocytes (CAP-e) assays and for potential anticholinesterase activity in vitro. Cognitive function and learning of Lineminus™ was evaluated using scopolamine induced cognition deficits in a Barnes maze, rodent model of cognition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract displayed in vitro antioxidant activity with a total ORAC value of 16,964 μmole TE/gram. Cellular antioxidant protection from free radical damage using the CAP-e assay, with an IC50 of 0.58 g/L for inhibition of cellular oxidative damage, was observed. The extract inhibited cholinesterase activity with an IC50 of 0.04 mg/ml with a maximum inhibition of 68%. In a rodent model of cognition using scopolamine induced cognition deficits in the Barnes maze, the extract attenuated scopolamine induced disruptions in learning at the higher dose of 100 mg/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data shows that P. minus possesses antioxidant and anticholinesterase activity and demonstrated enhanced cognition in vivo. The data suggest neuroprotective properties of the extract.
authors.affiliation: Biotropics Malaysia Berhad, Lot 21, Jalan U1/19, Section U1, Hicom-Glenmarie Industrial Park, Shah Alam, Selangor 40150, Malaysia. annie.g@biotropicsmalaysia.com.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Chee Perng
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
authors.forename: Gitte S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Hoi Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005419:Flavonoids; D005609:Free Radicals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects; D019664:Polygonaceae; D028502:Polygonum; D012601:Scopolamine
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D005609:Free Radicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012601:Scopolamine