Abstract

Cognitive impairments in dementia is a common feature which disrupts life style of the patients suffering neurodegenerative disorders. Management of cognitive dysfunctions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is very challenging as there is proper medicine with proved effect is available at present. In the current study, neuroprotective potentials of methanol extract of dried roots of Desmodium triquetrum (DT) was investigated in the mouse models relevant to dementia. Exteroceptive behavioral models like Elevated plus maze and Morris water maze were used to assess learning and memory in mice. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) induced amnesia and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) amnesia were the interoceptive behavioral models. DT (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated amnesic deficits in scopolamine, diazepam and natural aging amnesic models. DT was also useful in reversing aging induced amnesia. DT increased whole brain acetyl cholinesterase inhibition activity in mice. Hence, DT might be used as memory enhancing agent and possibly may be employed in treatment of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanism of action may be due to its potential neuroprotective and acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory properties.

Keywords: Acetyl cholinesterase; Desmodium triquetrum; Dementia; Memory; Scopolamine