Neuroprotective Effect of vitex negundo Against Scopolamine Induced Cognitive Impairment and Oxidative Stress in Wistar albino Rats

Rahmath Abdul Rahiman*, Nisha Rajan and Edakkot Sreekumaran

Department of Life Sciences, University of Calicut, India.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2204

ABSTRACT: The present study was undertaken to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Vitex negundo on cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, in Wistar albino rats. Memory impairment was induced by administration of scopolamine intraperitoneally. Aqueous extract of Vitex negundo was fed to the rats at a dosage of 1000 mg per kilogram body weight of the animal for a period of 15 days. Learning and memory were evaluated using the classical T-maze test. Oxidative stress parameters like Malondialdehyde, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase were assessed and acetylcholinesterase activity was estimated. We conclude that the aqueous extract of Vitex negundo leaf has potential therapeutic effects on improving the cognitive impairment in Wistar albino rats through inhibiting lipid peroxidation, augmenting endogenous antioxidant enzymes and decreasing acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain. We suggest further detailed study in this area to separate the exact compound in the extract responsible for the effect for therapeutic purpose.

KEYWORDS: Donepezil; Neuro-protective agent; Scopolamine; Vitex negundo; Wistar albino; T-maze

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