Ameliorative effect of Sida Cordifolia L. Against scopolamine-induced cognitive deficit mice model

Abstract

Objective: In this study, ameliorative effect of aqueous extracts of Sida cordifolia and hydroethanolic extracts of S. cordifolia L. (AESC and EESC, respectively) was evaluated against scopolamine (Sco)-induced amnesia in mice. S. cordifolia L. is a well-know Ayurvedic plant which has been administered anciently for various nervous disorders including loss of memory. Female Swiss albino mice were used for Sco-induced amnesia model and acute toxicity study. Methods: Acute toxicity study was carried out to select safe and effective doses (50, 100 and 250 mg/kg; p.o.) of AESC and EESC for further pharmacological evaluation. The AESC and EESC at selected doses and donepezil (Dpl) (5 mg/kg; p.o.) were administered to different groups for consecutive 15 days. On 15th day of treatment, Sco (0.4 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered to different groups for induction of amnesia. Mice were subjected to transfer latency (TL) and step down latency (SDL) tests on the 16th day to evaluate the effect of AESC and EESC on memory. Results: Sco treatment caused a significant increase in TL and decrease in SDL. The EESC significantly and dose dependently reversed the Sco-induced amnesia. The maximum effect was seen in EESC (100 mg/kg) treated group. This effect of EESC was comparable to the group treated with Dpl. The group treated with varying doses of AESC showed no significant effect on TL and SDL. Conclusion: These findings suggested the possible therapeutic potential of EESC (70%) for diseases related to memory dysfunctions like dementia in Alzheimer’s disease.