NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA IN MANAGEMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

To evaluate the neuroprotective activity of Ethanolic extract of leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana (EELAW) using Elevated Plus Maze in mice model. Neuroprotective activity in Alzheimer’s disease was assessed in mice by using Elevated Plus Maze. The present study was undertaken to establish the potential of EELAW as a memory enhancer. The elevated plus maze was employed to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg, po.) of EELAW were administered for 8 successive days to mice. The 200 mg/kg dose of EELAW has significantly improved learning and memory in mice and also reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg ip) and scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, ip). It is observed that scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed, i.e. an enhancement/ improvement in memory was observed may be due to the facilitation of cholinergic transmission in the brain. Hence EELAW might prove to be a useful memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia conditions seen in elderly persons. The underlying mechanism of action can be attributed to its antioxidant properties of the phytoconstituents present in the extract.