Abstract

NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA ON SCOPOLAMINE INDUCED ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Roja Pathakota*, Srilatha Chunduru, Umashanker Damu and Lavanya Pitta

ABSTRACT

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter guard or bitter melon, is a important medical plant of India. It’s fruits have potent anti-oxidant activity due to the presence of tannins, vitamin C and flavonoids. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effect of the ethanolic extract of fruits of momordica charantia on memory impairment in Swiss albino mice.scopalamine (1.4mg/kg,i.p) was administered to induce amnesia and Donepezil (5mg/kg, oral) used as standard drug. Rectangular maze test, Morris water maze test, locomotor activity and pole climbing test were conducted to evaluate learning and memory parameters. Various biochemical parameters such as acetyl cholinesterase (AchE), TBARs assay, catalase activity, and DPPH assay were also assessed. The present study demonstrate that ethanolic extract of momordica charantia had potential therapeutic effect on improving the antiamnesic activity in mice through inhibiting lipid peroxidation and decreasing acetyl cholinesterase activity in brain.

Keywords: momordica charantia, scopolamine, TBAR, AchE,