Memory enhancing activity of Cordia Subcordata Lam.

C. Madhavi Latha*^1,2_, K. Bhaskar Reddy^3
1Research Scholar, Pacific University of Higher Education and Research University, Udaipur, Rajastan, India.
²Department of Pharmacology, Jagan’s College of Pharmacy, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
³Department of Pharmaceutics, Sri Venkateswara College of Pharmacy, RVS Nagar, Chittoor, India.

A B S T R A C T
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Cordia subcordata Lam. on learning and memory in albino mice. Two doses of methanolic extract of C.subcordata (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) were administered for neurotoxicity test. The mice administered with 200 mg/kg of the extract could significantly maintain the equilibrium on the rotating rod. Passive shock avoidance paradigm and Morris water maze test were employed to test learning and memory in mice. Administration of C.subcordata significantly corticosterone (5 mg/kg) induced amnesia in elevated plus maze test as indicated by increase in inflexion ratio and reduction in transfer latency. In the Morris water maze test, C.subcordata improved the impairment of spatial memory induced by corticosterone as indicated by the formation of reference and working memories. Since scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed by C.subcordata, it is possible that the beneficial effects on learning and memory were due to facilitation of cholinergic-transmission in mouse brain. However, further studies are required to identify the exact mechanism of action. In the present investigation, C.subcordata has shown promise as a memory enhancing agent in all the laboratory models employed.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Medicinal plants, Oxidative stress, cholinergic function, memory.