EFFECT OF LAWSONIA INERMIS ON MEMORY AND BEHAVIOUR MEDIATED VIA MONOAMINE NEUROTRANSMITTERS

Objective: To investigate the effect of acetone soluble fraction of petroleum ether extract of Lawsonia inermis leaves on memory, anxiety and behaviour mediated via monoamine neurotransmitters. Methods: The effect of acetone soluble fraction of pet. ether extract of Lawsonia inermis on memory was assessed using elevated plus maze and passive shock avoidance paradigms.The effects on clonidine induced hypothermia.lithium induced head twitches and haloperidol induced catalepsy were observed to study the effect on noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine mediated behaviour respectively Results: The acetone fraction of pet.ether extract of L. inermis exhibited prominent nootropic activity, potenttated clonidine induoed hypothermia and decreased lithium induced head twitches. However, the haloperidol induced catalepsy was not modified. Conclusion: The acetone soluble fraction of pet. ether extract exhibited prominent nootropic activity.The fraction modified 5-HT and NA mediated behaviour. It is concluded that the leaves of L. inermis possess a potential for exploring a nootropic principle.