EVALUATION OF MEMORY ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACT OF TYPHA ANGUSTATA

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which effects older individuals and is the most common cause of dementia. Deficiency of acetyl choline and deposition of β- amyloid protein in the form of senile plagues, formation of Neurofibrillary tangles in brain leads to Alzheimer’s disease. Glutamate (NMDA) antagonist and choline esterase inhibitors like Donepezil, Glutamine, Rivastigmine and nootropic agents like Piracetam and Aniracetam are being used for improving the memory, mood and behavior but presence of side effects usage is limited. The present study was undertaken to investigate the memory enhancement activity of the leaves of Typha angustata in mice by using the Elevated plus maze. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of the Typha angustata are (200 mg/kg, i.p) administered for five successive days to the mice. Piracetam (200mg/ kg, i.p) was used as a standard memory enhancement agent. Diazepam (1mg/kg, i.p) as an amnesic agent. Methanolic extract of Typha angustata was shown significant memory enhancing activity. (Decreased transverse latency) when compared to the other treatment groups. The results indicate that methanolic extract of Typha angustata might prove to be useful in Alzheimer’s disease.

Key words: Typha angustata, Memory Enhancement Activity, Elevated Plus Maze.