Effect of Decoction the Bark of the Root of Sclerocarya Birrea (A. Rich) Hochst (Anacardiaceae) on Memory in White Mice Mus Musculus Swiss (Murideae)

Abstract: The present study evaluates the pharmacological effects of Sclerocarya birrea (S. birrea) decoction on memory in white mice. T-maze tests with and without induction of memory loss were performed one hour after oral administration of different doses of the decoction (410 ; 205 and 102.5 mg/kg) to assess the behavioral performance of the animals in the T-maze. In the T-maze test without induction of memory loss, administration of the decoction resulted in a significant decrease in latency of choice of the preferred arm and time spent in the discriminated arm. In the T-maze test with induction of memory loss by scopolamine, S. birrea decoction reversed the effects of scopolamine in mice, significantly enhancing cognitive performance. Doses of 102.5 and 205 mg/kg of the decoction led to a significant reduction in the latency of choice of the preferred arm and the number of returns to the starting arm. The results obtained suggest that S. birrea decoction possesses properties that facilitate memorization and correct memory deficits in mice, thus justifying its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Preliminary phytochemical characterization tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes or steroids, saponins, anthraquinones and polyphenols.