Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological ailment that causes memory loss and impairments and is linked to a drop-in acetylcholine level. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are used for the management of AD. In our ongoing research to search for natural AChE inhibitors from medicinal plants, we found that the Acorus calamus possesses memory-enhancing properties. alpha-Asarone is the major compound isolated from the Acorus calamus and it has neuroprotective action in animal models, nonetheless, its anticholinesterase activity in different brain regions was not fully understood. The purpose of this research was to determine the anti-amnesic and anti-cholinesterase activities of alpha-asarone against scopolamine-induced memory impairments in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti -cholinesterase activity of alpha-asarone was deter-mined using Ellman's method in different brain areas, such as the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. In addition, the anti-amnesic effect of alpha-asarone was also investigated using elevated plus-maze, passive avoidance, and active avoidance tests. RESULTS: The effect of alpha-asarone on memory impairment against scopolamine-induced (1 mg/kg body weight) amnesia was evaluated. Administration of alpha-asarone (15 and 30 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days to rats significantly ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairment as measured in the elevated plus-maze, passive avoidance, and avoidance active tests compared to the scopolamine-treated group. In this study, we also show that alpha-asarone treat-ment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced brain acetylcholinesterase activity in the cortex, hippo -campus, and striatum brain regions of amnesic rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirmed that alpha-asarone has anti-amnesic and anti -cholinesterase potential which may be useful for the management of AD.