Evaluation of Nootropic Activity of <i>Persicaria flaccida</i> on Cognitive Performance, Brain Antioxidant Markers and Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Rats: Implication for the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Oxidative stress is the leading cause of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The plant Persicaria flaccida (PF) is known in Bengali as red Biskatali belongs to family Polygonaceae. Preliminary studies have shown the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective activities of Biskatali. In this consequence, methanolic extract of PF (MEPF) was selected to explore the ability of this plant to enhance cognitive functions, brain antioxidant enzymes and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity which can be used for the treatment of AD. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MEPF on cognitive performance, brain antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase activity in rats by using behavioral and biochemical study. Treatment with MEPF (i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) was investigated for 14 days in Swiss albino male rats and its effects on different types of memory were examined using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test, Passive Avoidance (PA) test, Morris Water Maze (MWM) test as well as level of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in rat brain tissue homogenates. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined by colorimetric method. Administration of highest dose of MEPF significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) decreased retention transfer latency (RTL) of rats on 7 th and 14 th day compared to the control group in EPM test. In PA test highest dose of MEPF meaningfully (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) increased step-through latency (STL) of rats on 7 th , 12 th , 13 th and 14 th day with respect to control group. Both doses of MEPF markedly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) decreased escape latency (EL), increased time spent in the target quadrant (TSTQ) and time spent in the annuli (TSA) of rats on successive days as compared to that of control group in MWM test. MEPF administration, especially highest dose significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) increased the level of CAT, SOD, GSR, GST & GSH-Px and considerably (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) decreased TBARS level & AChE activity in the brain tissue homogenates of rats compared to the control group. Behavioral and biochemical studies suggest that MEPF promotes cognitive function by improving different types of memory and reduces oxidative stress by increasing the level of brain antioxidant markers and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity. Therefore, this plant extract can be used for enhancing memory in neurodegenerative disorders like AD.

Analyzing Nootropic Effect of &lt;i&gt;Phyllanthus reticulatus&lt;/i&gt; Poir. on Cognitive Functions, Brain Antioxidant Enzymes and Acetylcholinesterase Activity against Aluminium-Induced Alzheimer’s Model in Rats: Applicable for Controlling the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…The current study showed that administration of EEPR pointedly increases the level of brain antioxidant enzymes and decrease the levels of TBARS. In the study of nootropic activity of aerial parts of Persicaria flaccida on brain antioxidant markers and cognitive performance of rats by Uddin et al, also reported equivalent results [84].…”

Catalytic and Medical Potential of a Phyto-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide–Gold Nanocomposite Using Willow-Leaved Knotgrass

“…A plausible reason behind such a superior antibacterial activity for rGO-AuNPs synthesized from P. salicifolia is that the extract of P. salicifolia contains several antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, and antitumor active biochemical ingredients. 86 , 87 Furthermore, these plants were proven to have many medicinal benefits 50 as they contain phenolic acids, glycosides, terpenoids, and flavonoids. In addition, a comparison between the antibacterial activity of AuNPs, rGO-AuNPs, and other nanomaterials is given in Table 2 to indicate the high antibacterial efficiency of rGO-AuNPs, which is better than various previously reported results.…”

Evaluation of Nootropic Activity of Leaf Extract of Anacardium occidentale L.

“…The human brain is the centre for controlling physical as well as emotional activities. It is responsible for 'cognition' which is one of the salient characteristics of human beings [2]. The hippocampal, cortical and cerebellar areas of the brain are responsible for the memory processes.…”