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Abstract

Lepidium sativum (Garden cress) is traditionally an important plant with a wide range of activities from the ages. Ample literature about its biological activities, motivate us to evaluate the total flavonoids content and to screen the nootropic activity in mice. Methods: Ethanolic extract was prepared from the seeds of Lepidium sativum using ethanol (70% v/v) and total flavonoids content was estimated by using Zhishen method. The ethanolic extract was screened for its acute toxicity and nootropic activity by elevated plus maze (EPM) and morris water maze (MWM) test in mice. Results: The results showed that the ethanolic seed extract of the plant is having a good amount of flavonoids (17.54 ± 47 of gram equivalence of rutin at 510 nm) and also exhibited significant increase in memory and learning abilities. Conclusion: To conclude, the flavonoids that are present in the ethanolic extract may be responsible for the exhibited activity and it is regarded as safe to administer to the animals. Moreover, further studies are necessary to explore its mechanism of action.