Amelioration of Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic, Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Ficus benghalensis in Behavioral Experimental Models

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Ficus benghalensis (FB) is a commonly found tree in Pakistan and its various parts have folkloric importance in managing neurological ailments. In the present study, methanolic extract of its bark has been tested on an experimental animal model to evaluate memory-enhancing, anxiolytic and antidepressant activities to validate the claimed therapeutic potential. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract of freshly isolated bark was prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical studies and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis for the presence of phytocomponents. To evaluate its effect on spatial learning, passive-avoidance test–step through (PAT-ST), Y-maze and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were carried out. Open-field (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests were employed to explore the anti-anxiety potential of FB while a forced swimming test (FST) was utilized to assess its anti-depressant prospective. FB doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg with positive and negative controls given to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Results: phytochemical studies showed the presence of various phytoconstituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, phenolics and anthraquinones. The presence of synephrine, aspargine, glucose, fructose and fatty acids was revealed by GC–MS analysis. FB administration led to significant improved memory retention when evaluated through passive avoidance (p < 0.05), Y-maze (p < 0.05) and Morris water maze (p < 0.05) tests in a scopolamine model of amnesic rats. When tested by open field and elevated plus maze tests, FB demonstrated anxiety-resolving characteristics (p < 0.05) as animals dared to stay in open areas more than a control group. Mobility time was increased and immobility time was reduced (p < 0.05–0.01) in rats treated with FB, unveiling the anti-depressant importance of F. benghalensis. Conclusion: methanolic extract of F. benghalensis bark furnished scientific proof behind folkloric claims of the memory improving, anxiety-reducing and depression-resolving characteristics of the plant. These activities might be possible due to interaction of its phytoconstituents with serotonergic, glutamatergic, cholinergic and GABAergic systems in the brain.

Effect of Pharmaceutical Effluents on Growth, Oxidative Defense, Secondary Metabolism, and Ion Homeostasis in Carrot

“…11 , 52 Phenolic, flavonoids, and ascorbic acids are important non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds that significantly mediate the stress injury. 24 , 53 Our results are in agreement with Islam et al 54 and Malik et al 24 …”

“…22 The accumulation of ROS in chloroplast is minimized by well-organized antioxidative system composed of enzymatic antioxidants as well as non-enzymatic antioxidant (phenolic and flavonoid compounds) to overcome stress injury. 11,23,24 Carrot is a biennial herbaceous species, is a member of the Apiaceae family. Carrot is widely used as a root vegetable in the globe and vast cultivated in the temperate regions.…”

Chemical Profiling and Dose-Dependent Assessment of Fear Reducing and Memory-Enhancing Effects of Solanum virginianum in Rats

“…Animals were first exposed to group-wise treatment and after 30 min, scopolamine was administered to induce amnesia. 47 Each rat was placed individually in any of 3 arms and allowed to explore the maze for 5 min. The sequence of arm visits (ABC, BAC, CAB etc.)…”

Grewia asiatica Berry Juice Diminishes Anxiety, Depression, and Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Behavioral Experimental Animal Models

“…The Morris water maze (MWM) test is employed to estimate memory and spatial learning in rodents ( 42 – 44 ). The test apparatus comprises a spherical tub-like container (150 cm diameter and 50 cm height) having a smooth internal surface.…”

“…Water with some opacifying agent (milk or non-toxic dye) was filled in this tank up to 32 cm high, and a square platform (10 × 10 cm) made of plastic was placed 2 cm below the water surface. Various distinct geometrical signs (▴, □, ◦, — ) were displayed on the inner side of the water tank (proximal cues) and simultaneously mounted on the stands in the surroundings of the tank (distal cues) to provide spatial reference points to the animals ( 44 , 45 ). Initial training trials (training days) of animals were carried out without amnesic drug for the first 2 days (four trails/animal/day of 2-min duration) by placing a platform in the southwest (SW) quadrant of the tank.…”