Abstract

EVALUATION OF MEMORY ENHANCING ACTIVITY OF NISHAMALAKI- AN AYURVEDIC FORMULATION IN WISTAR RATS

Jayshree Dawane*, Madhushree Mankar, Swapnil Deshpande, Vijaya Pandit

ABSTRACT

Background: Memory is one of the most complex functions of the brain. Studies estimated that the risk of dementia is almost doubled in patients of type 2 diabetes. Nishamalaki (NA) is effective in treatment of Diabetes. Present study was planned to evaluate the effect of NA on memory in rats. Objectives: To study the effect of NA in wistar rats using elevated plus maze and Morris water maze in diazepam induced amnesia. Material & Methods- NA is a combination of Curcuma longa powder and fresh juice Emblica officinalis, prepared according to ayurvedic literature and administered with honey for 21 days. Diazepam was used to induce memory deficits. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) were used to evaluate short and long term memory respectively. Results – NA significantly improved learning and memory of rats. Significant decrease in transfer latency in NA (p<0.001) & Piracetam (p<0.05) groups was observed in EPM. Diazepam produced (p<0.01) significant memory impairment. NA decreased transfer latency (p<0.001) and increased time spent in target quadrant using MWM. Protective effect of NA was more significant than Piracetam. Conclusion - Nishamalaki improved EPM performance and also appeared protective in MWM Diazepam treated rats.NA, a promising formulation for preventing memory impairment with additional antidiabetic effect in Diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment, Elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, Insulin resistance, Memory.