Pharmacological investigation of Achras sapota against scopolamine induce amnesia and cognitive impairment in laboratory animals

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of <i>Achras sapota</i> (<i>A. sapota</i>) fruits in scopolamine induced amnesia & cognitive impairment in mice. <i>A. sapota</i> commonly known as Chiku belong to Sapotaceae family. Memory impairment was induced in Swiss albino mice by a single injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p). Animals (Swiss albino mice) were divided into five separate groups of six animals each. Positive control group received CMC (carboxy methyl cellulose) as vehicle, negative control group received scopolamine along with vehicle, standard group received Donepezil (5 mg/kg, p.o) with scopolamine. Ethanolic extract of <i>A. sapota</i> (EEAS, 200 mg & 400 mg/kg, p.o) was administered to group Test 1 and Test 2 respectively along with scopolamine. Elevated plus maze (EPM), modified passive avoidance test, Morris water maze (MWM) models and locomotor activity were employed as exteroceptive behaviour models to assess learning and memory activity. Thereafter lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione and catalase level were estimated in homogenized brain of mice. The extract showed the presence of different chemical constituents like flavonoids, tannins, glycosides and alkaloids. The pre-treatment of mice with EEAS (200 mg/kg & 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the scopolamine induced increase in EL time in MWM, whereas in EPM administration of extract produces significant decrease in TL. In Modified passive avoidance test significant increase in SDL, was shown by the animals. In locomotor activity, treatment of EEAS did not alter normal locomotor activity whereas lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased, catalase & reduced glutathione levels were significantly increased in animals of test 1 & test 2 when compared to negative control group. Hence it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in management of cognitive impairment and other memory disorders.