@article {887, title = {Acetylcholine and Memory-Enhancing Activity of Ficus racemosa Bark}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {3}, year = {2014}, month = {November,2011}, pages = {246-249}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting in dementia and enhancement of acetylcholine (Ach) levels in brain using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors is one of the most important approaches for the treatment of AD. Methods: In this study, aqueous extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) bark having anti-infl ammatory, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase activity was evaluated for its ability to enhance Ach levels, and to ascertain its antidementia activity in rats. This work was carried out under the assumption that the F. racemosa extract may show combination of actions which could be beneficial in the treatment of AD, such as neuroprotection, attributed to antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory property and may elevate levels of Ach like Ficus hispida extract reported earlier. Results: Administration of the extract at two levels viz., 250 and 500 mg/kg signifi cantly raised (P <= 0.05) Ach levels in hippocampi of rats compared to control. The percentage enhancement in Ach levels was found to be 22\% and 38\%, respectively. Further, the extract at both dosage levels elicited signifi cant reduction (P <= 0.05) in transfer latency on elevated plus-maze, which was used as an exteroceptive behavioral model to evaluate memory in rats. Conclusion: It is inferred that it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of F. racemosa in the management of Alzheimer disease.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholine, Alzheimer disease, Memory, Plus-maze, Transfer latency}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.89744}, author = {Faiyaz Ahmed and J. N. Narendra Sharath Chandra and S. Manjunath} } @article {786, title = {Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Acacia Auriculiformis Leaves on Learning and Memory in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2012}, month = {May,2014}, pages = {246-250}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: The effects and benefits of Acacia auriculiformis on health are not well established. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of Acacia auriculiformis leaves on learning and memory in rats. Materials and Methods: Learning and memory were evaluated using passive avoidance paradigm and rewarded alternation test (T-maze) after the oral administration of two doses (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) of ethanolic extract of Acacia auriculiformis with rivastigmine as positive control. Forty eight rats were divided into 4 groups in each study model. Estimation of brain cholinesterase activity was done to substantiate the results of the above mentioned tests. Data was analyzed using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey{\textquoteright}s post-hoc test using GraphPad InStat software, version 3.06. Results: The extract produced a dose-dependent improvement in the memory score namely the step through latency in passive avoidance model (P \< 0.001) and the percentage of correct responses in rewarded alternation test (P \< 0.05). Dose-dependent inhibition of brain cholinesterase activity (P \< 0.001) was also noted. Conclusion: The acetylcholinesterase inhibiting property of Acacia auriculiformis contributes to its memory enhancing potential. Further large scale studies are required to elucidate its benefits on cognitive function. This may offer a promising new option for the treatment of dementia and other cognitive deficits.

}, keywords = {Acacia auriculiformis, Acetylcholinesterase, Memory, Passive Avoidance, Rewarded alternation}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.132605} }