Evaluation of Learning and Memory Enhancing Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Sida Veronicaefolia In Rat

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate, learning and memory enhancing activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of whole plant of Sida veronicaefolia in rats using Elevated plus maze(EPM), Hebb William Maze(HWM), and Morris water maze(MWM) and to evaluate brain Acetylcholine esterase activity ,lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase and glutathione level. Rats were divided into 7 groups of 6 no each. Group 1(control) animals received vehicle , Group 2 animals received scopolamine (0.4mg/kg i.p.), on 19^th and 27^th day only, Groups 3 and 4 animals received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg p.o. of aqueous extraction of Sida veronicaefolia. Group 5 and 6 animals received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg p.o. of ethanolic extraction of Sida veronicaefolia and Group 7 animals received piracetam (400mg/kg i.p.) for 27 days, followed by scopolamine (0.4mg/kg i.p.) single dose on 19^th and 27^th day only. Assessment of transfer latency (TL), time taken to reach reward chamber (TRC) and assessment of swim latency (SL) was one on 19^th and 27^th day using elevated plus maze, Hebb William maze and Morris water maze. Animals were sacrificed on 27^th day, brain acetylcholine esterase activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity and glutathione level were estimated. The data was expressed as mean ± S.E.M. The statistical analysis was done by means of ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hock test. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sida veronicaefolia decreased Tranfer Latency, Time taken to reach Reward Chamber and Sim Latency in comparison to scopolamine treated rats, decreased acetylcholine esterase activity and lipid peroxidation and increased super oxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase activity in brain.

Keywords: Learning, Memory, EPM, HWM, MWM, Piracetam, Scopolamine