Neurocognitive Values of Evolvulus alsinoides and Centella asiatica on Scopolamine Induced Amnesia in Mice

Aim of the study: To study the comparative neuroprotective activity of ethanolic extracts of E. alsinoides and C. asiatica. Method: The ethanolic extracts of E. alsinoides and C. asiatica were administered orally daily along with scopolamine for a period of 14 days following which the behavioral tests i.e. elevated plus maze and Morris water maze tests were performed to assess learning and memory. Animal groups were divided in nine different groups. In-vivo antioxidant enzymes activity, inflammatory markers inhibition activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity in the brain of mice were also measured at the end of the study. Results: The study demonstrate that scopolamine induction resulted in learning and memory deficits which were partially and significantly ameliorated by the ethanolic extracts of E. alsinoides and C. asiatica. The extracts also counteracted scopolamine-induced decreases in acetylcholine levels, increases in AChE activity, and decreases in activities of the antioxidant enzymes. The study demonstrates the ability of the ethanolic extracts of E. alsinoides and C. asiatica to reverse scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits in mice which may at least partially be explained by the reversal of scopolamine-induced reductions in brain antioxidant enzymes activity, inflammatory markers inhibition activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity by the both extracts.