Evaluvation of anti-amnesic activity of ayurvedic formulation saraswathaghrita in the scopolamine-induced rat model

The current research aims to evaluate and scientifically validate the ani-amnestic potential of ayruvedic formulation Saraswathaghrita (SG) in the scopolamine-induced rat model.

The animals were pretreated with different doses of SG (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, and 400mg/kg) for seven days before scopolamine induction. For induction of amnesia, scopolamine was injected i.p (single dose of 2mg/kg) in rats for seven consecutive days. 1 hour before induction different doses of SG were administrated (p.o). On the 7th day after 1-hour of induction, various behavioral studies, biochemical estimations, neurotransmitter evaluations, and histopathological studies were performed.

The escape latency time in the Morris water maze was significantly increased in 400mg/kg SG treated group compared to the scopolamine-induced group (31.667± 1.174). Treatment with various doses of SG significantly decreases the no. of attempts and latency time (3.167± 0.307 and 7.700±0.383, 2.667±0.211 and 6.617±0.387 and 2.333±0.211 5.267±0.616). Treatment with SG results in regaining the levels of endogenous antioxidant levels to normal values compared to the scopolamine-induced group. In the case of acetylcholinesterase activity, SG treated group, there was a significantly decreased level of acetylcholinesterase (0.611±0.027) compared with the scopolamine-induced group (1.142±0.049). The neuroprotective effect of SG was confirmed by histopathology. The inflammatory cells were absent, glial and astrocytes possess proper morphological features in SG treated group.

SG possesses potent anti-cholinesterase inhibition potential and anti-oxidant properties which leads to its anti-amnestic property in the scopolamine-induced rat model.