EFFECT OF ECLIPTA ALBA ON SCOPOLAMINE INDUCED AMNESIA IN MICE

The present study deals with the evaluation of potential effects of Eclipta alba (EA) in memory impairment of mice. Memory impairment was induced by scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p) in animals. To assess learning and memory in mice Morris water maze test was employed. The acetylcholinestrase enzyme (AChE) activity in brain was measured to evaluate the central cholinergic activity. The levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH)in brain were estimated to assess the degree of oxidative stress. Scopolamine treatment produces significant impairment of learning and memory in mice, as reflected by a significant decrease in MWM performance. Scopolamine also produced a significant enhancement of brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress (increase in TBARS and decrease in GSH) levels. EA (300 and 600 mg/kg,oral) significantly prevented scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits along with decrease of scopolamine-induced rise in brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress levels. It may be concluded that Eclipta alba has significant protective action against scopolamine induced memory deficits in mice that can be attributed to its anti AChE and anti oxidant actions. Keywords: Alzheimer disease, Oxidative stress, Morris water Maze, Scopolamine