Therapeutic potential of Bhiramiyadhi bhavanai choornam in ameliorating scopolamine-induced impaired learning and memory in rats: Neuroprotective effects and mechanistic insights

This study intended to explore Bhiramiyadhi bhavanai choornam’s (BBC) effect on scopolamine-induced impaired learning and memory in rats. BBC was prepared and subjected to organoleptic and phytochemical investigations. Scopolamine (2mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into all animals except for the vehicle control group. Donepezil 1mg/kg and BBC (215, 430, and 860mg/kg along with a 1:1 ratio of ghee and honey) were administered orally for 14 days to respective groups. The effect of BBC on locomotor activity, olfactory and spatial memory and exploratory behaviour was evaluated. Later, animals were sacrificed, and brain homogenates were tested for levels of malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes, acetylcholinesterase, nitric oxide and TNF-α. A statistical evaluation was carried out. Investigating BBC for phytoconstituents, showed that steroids, phenols, tannins, quinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids and carbohydrates were present. Treatment with BBC reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment by significantly (p < 0.001) improving behaviour in the Y maze, novel object recognition test and MWM. BBC also decreased oxidative stress induced by scopolamine by increasing reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes and declining MDA, AChE, NO, and TNF- α levels in the rat brain in a rat model of scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairment.