title: Emilia coccinae (SIMS) G Extract improves memory impairment, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative stress damage in scopolamine-treated rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  E. coccinae (SIMS) G. (Asteraceae) is an annual plant commonly found throughout the plain of the Central Africa and widely used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of fever and convulsions in children. We previously reported that the methanolic extract of this plant improved spatial memory. However no underlying mechanism was explored. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae on memory in scopolamine treated rats and to propose possible mechanisms of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Novel object recognition and Y-maze paradigm were used to test memory while oxidative profile, AChE and ACh level of the whole brain were assessed to outline the mechanism of nootropic activity of the extract. 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract were chronically administrated during 14 consecutive days in separate groups of scopolamine intraperitoneal treated rats (1.5 mg/kg).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae (HEEC) at the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly improved the memory of rats and reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine. In addition, we showed that this extract is decreasing the acetyl cholinesterase activity while also increasing the acetylcholine levels in the brain. HEEC (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH and CAT) and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in the rat whole brain homogenates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, our results suggested that the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine treated rats through the blockage of the oxidative effect of scopolamine and inhibition of AChE activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, Cameroon. P.O. Box: 814, Maroua, Cameroon. fharquins@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Harquin Simplice
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Foyet
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, P.O. Box: 55, Maroua, Cameroon. abaisherve@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hervé Hervé Ngatanko
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Abaïssou
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Cattle farming and Derived products, High Institute of the Sahel, University of Maroua, P.O. Box: 46, Maroua, Cameroon. keugong@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Eglantine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wado
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon. cpehw@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Emmanuel Asongalem
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Acha
authors.affiliation: Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 11 Carol I Blvd., 700506, Iasi, Romania. alin.ciobica@mail.uaic.ro.|Center of Biomedical Research of the Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, Romania. alin.ciobica@mail.uaic.ro.
authors.forename: Ciobica
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alin
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000647:Amnesia / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D018678:Cholinergic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012601:Scopolamine
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018678:Cholinergic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012601:Scopolamine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000109:Acetylcholine