Emilia coccinae (SIMS) G Extract improves memory impairment, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative stress damage in scopolamine-treated rats

Abstract

BackgroundE. coccinae (SIMS) G. (Asteraceae) is an annual plant commonly found throughout the plain of the Central Africa and widely used in Cameroonian folk medicine for the treatment of fever and convulsions in children. We previously reported that the methanolic extract of this plant improved spatial memory. However no underlying mechanism was explored. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae on memory in scopolamine treated rats and to propose possible mechanisms of action.MethodsNovel object recognition and Y-maze paradigm were used to test memory while oxidative profile, AChE and ACh level of the whole brain were assessed to outline the mechanism of nootropic activity of the extract. 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract were chronically administrated during 14 consecutive days in separate groups of scopolamine intraperitoneal treated rats (1.5 mg/kg).ResultsThe hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae (HEEC) at the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly improved the memory of rats and reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine. In addition, we showed that this extract is decreasing the acetyl cholinesterase activity while also increasing the acetylcholine levels in the brain. HEEC (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH and CAT) and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA level) in the rat whole brain homogenates.ConclusionsTaken together, our results suggested that the hydroalcoholic extract of Emilia coccinae ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine treated rats through the blockage of the oxidative effect of scopolamine and inhibition of AChE activity.

Cholinergic Enhancing and Antioxidant Effect of Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae) Landrace Aqueous Extract on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Male Swiss Mice

“…Therefore, our results suggest that the aqueous extract of V. subterranea has the potential to treat cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine demented mice possibly through AChE inhibition. There exist similar reports [64][65] on the potential of other plant extracts in enhancing the availability of acetylcholine within synapses. Besides AChE increment, there is evidence that reactive oxygen species generated by oxidative stress potentially plays a vital role in the development of AD amongst elderly persons [66].…”

Neuroprotective Effect of Ginsenoside Rh1 on Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunctions

“…Furthermore, both preclinical and clinical studies have shown increased level of oxidative stress during latent period of the disease, which often leads to sudden onset of symptoms of AD, including cognitive decline and post-mortem studies have confirmed elevated levels of MDA, an index of lipid peroxidation in AD brains, which further supports the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the disease [40]. SOD, an antioxidant enzyme, plays a positive role in the reduction of oxidative stress by inducing increased free radical generation [41]. Our present results showed that Rh1 (40 μmol/ kg) treatment significantly restored the reduced SOD activity and attenuated the elevated MDA level in the hippocampus of Scop-treated mice.…”

Cognitive-enhancing and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract from Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. stem bark in a rat model of scopolamine

“…Furthermore, many studies have reported that the scopolamine-induced amnesic rats show similar patterns of memory impairments and oxidative damage with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients [62]. Evidence suggested that different plant extracts have potent anti-amnesic effects that may be mediated by improving the brain oxidative status [63–65]. Consequently, the aqueous extract treatment restored the antioxidants status as evidenced by an increase of SOD, GPX, and GSH while the levels of MDA (lipid peroxidation) and protein carbonyl significantly decrease which supports its antioxidant property.…”