Protective effect of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) extract against scopolamine-induced memory loss and oxidative stress in mouse brain
-
Solomon Umukoro
,
Love Okoh
Abstract
Objectives
The juice extract of Cyperus esculentus commonly known as tiger nuts (TINUT) is widely used for its numerous health promoting effects including alleviation of symptoms associated with neurological disorders. Herein, we investigated the influence of the aqueous extract of C. esculentus on cognitive disorder and the underlying changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress biomarkers in mice exposed to scopolamine.
Methods
C. esculentus (50–200 mg/kg) or saline (10 mL/kg) was given alone or with scopolamine 30 min after, to male Swiss mice (6/group) daily for seven days. We evaluated the cognitive performance using Y-maze and object recognition on day seven post-treatment. Brains of the animals were afterwards processed for spectrophotometric determination of AChE activity and contents of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], catalase, superoxide dismutase and nitrite).
Results
The extract improves cognitive function and also upturned scopolamine amnesia in mice. The extract markedly reduced brain AChE, MDA, and nitrite contents in mice injected with scopolamine (p<0.05). It also attenuated scopolamine-induced deregulated GSH contents and antioxidant enzymes in mouse brain.
Conclusions
The results of this study suggest that regular consumption of TINUT might offer beneficial effects in memory-related disorders.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the technical Staff of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan for their kind assistance during the experimental studies.
Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval: Research involving animals complied with all relevant national regulations and institutional policies for the care and use of animals.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and personalized drug prescription based on e-health: the MedeA initiative
- Review
- Pain pharmacogenetics
- Herbal preparations in the management of hypothyroidism in Unani medicine
- Mini Review
- Dapsone for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis – applying theory to clinical practice with a focus on drug interactions
- Original Articles
- No effect of lipoic acid on catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 3A4
- Exploring the potential of pyrazoline containing molecules as Aβ aggregation inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease
- Potential drug-drug interactions in ICU patients: a retrospective study
- Drug–drug interaction of rivaroxaban and calcium channel blockers in patients aged 80 years and older with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation
- Silver sulfadiazine loaded breathable hydrogel sponge for wound healing
- Protective effect of Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) extract against scopolamine-induced memory loss and oxidative stress in mouse brain
- Role of purinergic signaling pathways in the adaptogenic-like activity of methyl jasmonate in rats exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress
