Abstract
Abstract
Thespesia populnea. Soland ex. Correa (Malvaceae) is a large tree found in the tropical regions and coastal forests of India. Various parts of Thespesia populnea. are found to possess useful medicinal properties such as antifertility, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, purgative, and hepatoprotective activities. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Thespesia populnea. bark on memory in rats. Elevated plus-maze and Hebb-Williams maze served as the exteroceptive behavioral models for testing memory. Diazepam-, scopolamine-, and ageing-induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral models. The ethanol extract of Thespesia populnea. (TPE) was administered orally in three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg kg) for 7 successive days to different groups of young and aged rats. TPE (200 and 400 mg kg, p.o.) resulted in significant improvement in memory of young and aged rats. TPE also reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg kg, i.p.). Cholesterol-lowering, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of Thespesia populnea. may favorably contribute to its memory-enhancement effect. Therefore, Thespesia populnea. bark appears to be a promising candidate for improving memory, and it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in the management of Alzheimer patients.