Biological Evaluation of Cucumis trigonus (Roxb.) for Memory Enhancing Activity in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Mice

Introduction: Plants have been employed for centuries to enhance human health due to their cost-effectiveness and minimal adverse effects. Numerous plants exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, and various herbal medicines are currently being investigated for their memory-enhancing properties. Methods: Cucumis trigonus (Roxb.), commonly known as Kachari or Bitter gourd, is one such plant with diverse pharmacological attributes. Historically, the fruits of C. trigonus have been utilized for addressing various conditions like leprosy, pyrexia, icterus, hyperglycemia, chronic cough, bronchitis, abdominal fluid accumulation, anemia, obstipation, diverse gastrointestinal disease, and cognitive impairment. The current investigation aims to explore the memory enhancement properties of C. trigonus, rooted in its traditional applications, particularly against scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. Morris water maze and elevated plus maze paradigms were employed to evaluate cognitive performance. Furthermore, the research examined acetylcholine neurotransmission, oxidative stress markers, and cerebral histopathology. Results: The results showed that C. trigonus ethanol extract (dose- 150 or 300 mg/kg., p.o.), markedly (p<0.05) improved memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and significantly (p<0.05) elevated hippocampus acetylcholine concentration. These findings revealed that the ethanol extract of C. trigonus fruits mitigates memory deficits and demonstrates neuroprotective efficacy analogous to the reference drug Piracetam. Additionally, the extract showed notable in vivo antioxidant activity. The occurrence of flavonoids and phenols is likely to be responsible for its memory-enhancing effects due to their antioxidant properties, which help to prevent the loss of neurons. Conclusion: These results support the efficacy and potential of C. trigonus ethanol extract as an affordable alternative form of herbal medicine for the treatment of Amnesia.