title: Cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract from Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. stem bark in a rat model of scopolamine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plants of the genus Markhamia have been traditionally used by different tribes in various parts of West African countries, including Cameroun. Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. (Bignoniaceae) is used as an antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer agent. The current study was undertaken in order to investigate its anti-amnesic and antioxidant potential on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment and to determine its possible mechanism of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were pretreated with the aqueous extract (50 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.), for 10 days, and received a single injection of scopolamine (0.7 mg/kg, i.p.) before training in Y-maze and radial arm-maze tests. The biochemical parameters in the rat hippocampus were also assessed to explore oxidative status. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. F values for which p < 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the scopolamine-treated rats, the aqueous extract improved memory in behavioral tests and decreased the oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus. Also, the aqueous extract exhibited anti-acetylcholinesterase activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the aqueous extract ameliorates scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment by attenuation of the oxidative stress in the rat hippocampus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ionita
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Paula Alexandra
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Postu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box, 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon. galbajeanbeppe@yahoo.com.|Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, PO Box, 814, Maroua, Cameroon. galbajeanbeppe@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Galba Jean
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Beppe
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania. brindusa.petre@uaic.ro.
authors.forename: Brindusa Alina
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Petre
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", 16 University Str., 700115, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hancianu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa", 16 University Str., 700115, Iasi, Romania.
authors.forename: Oana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cioanca
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania. hritcu@uaic.ro.
authors.forename: Lucian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hritcu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D029402:Bignoniaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D023421:Models, Animal; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012601:Scopolamine
keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Alzheimer’s disease; Markhamia tomentosa stem bark extract; Oxidative stress; Scopolamine; Spatial memory