Neuroprotective potential of Sargassum wightii against scopolamine - induced dementia like symptoms in Wistar albino rats
Sradhasini Rout, Bandana Rath, Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra, Anjan Kumar and Ishani Rath
Published: October 31, 2021.
Abstract
This research work was undertaken to explore the neuroprotective potential of Sargassum wightii against scopolamine-induced dementia in rats. Progressive loss of memory is a most prominent symptom in neurodegenerative diseases. Five groups of animal were used for this experiment and scopolamine (16 mg/kg body weight/ i.p.) was administered to induced dementia like symptoms. Behavioral study was performed by Morris Water Maze test (MWM) to assess learning and memory, biochemical parameter such as acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) activity was measured to analyze cholinergic activity in brain, the oxidative biomarker enzyme status was estimated by analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA), GSH and histopathological assessed were then performed. Scopolamine 16 mg/kg body weight significantly impaired acquisition and memory in Morris water maze test. Pretreatment with Sargassum wightii (methanolic extract) both the doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg showed significant improvement in MWM performance and learning memory deficit. Scopolamine also enhanced brain acetylcholinesterase activity, MDA level and decreased in GSH level. Sargassum wightii extract reversed the change in AChE activity, brain oxidative stress and histopathological changes in a significant level. The conclusion of this study suggested that the neuroprotective activity of Sargassum wightii against scopolamine-induced dementia like symptom probably through enhancement of cholinergic activity and reduced oxidative stress action.
Keywords: Neurodegenerative; Scopolamine; Sargassum wightii; Morris water maze; Acetylcholinesterase