Riluzole is the only available drug for motor neuron diseases quite well-known for its neuroprotective activity. But its poor aqueous solubility, short half-life with some side-effects at higher concentration poses a limitation to its use as a therapeutic agent. The present study was performed to investigate the therapeutic potential of nanoriluzole (NR), i.e., riluzole encapsulated in nanoparticles against cerebral ischemia (stroke) at three different concentrations [10 (NRL), 20 (NRM), and 40 (NRH) μg/kg body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.)]. Chitosan conjugated NIPAAM (N-isopropylacrylamide) nanoparticles coated with tween80 were synthesized through free radical polymerization. The particles were characterized with Transmission Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and were found to have size of ∼50 nm. Cerebral ischemia was induced by Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model for 1 h and NR was given intraperitoneally after 1 h of MCAO. Animals were dissected after a reperfusion period of 24 h for evaluation of various parameters. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining shows substantial reduction in infarct size in all three treated groups. It was also supported by histopathological results, biochemical parameters, and behavioral studies. Immunological parameters like NOS-2, NF-kB, and COX-2 also show profound reduction in expression in NR treated groups. Thus, the present work clearly demonstrated that the nanoparticle was good enough to carry large amount of drug across the Blood Brain Barrier which results in significant neuroprotection even at a very low concentration. It also substantially lowered the required concentration by overcoming the poor aqueous solubility; hence hardly leaving any scope for side-effects.

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The present investigation was undertaken to assess the pharmacological effects of Cressa cretica on learning and memory in mice. Morris water maze was used to test learning and memory. Two doses (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) of ethanolic extract of Cressa cretica were administered for 28 successive days in mice. The dose of 400 mg/kg p.o. of CCE (Cressa cretica extract) significantly enhanced learning and memory of mice. This dose significantly opposed the memory loss caused by Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.). The effect of CCE on whole brain MDA, SOD, GSH, Catalase, NO activity was estimated to analyze how CCE shows nootropic activity. CCE reduced whole brain MDA, NO levels. Antioxidant properties and presence of flavonoids in Cressa cretica may be responsible for nootropic activity. Piracetam (200 mg/kg, i.p) was utilized as standard nootropic drug. Hence Cressa cretica seems to be a potent candidate for enhancing learning and memory and it would be beneficial for the treatment of amnesia and Alzheimer's disease.

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