A comparative study of American ginseng (spp. Panax quinquefolius) and Donepezil on working memory in rats using scopolamine induced disruption of memory

Authors

  • Shrikrishna S. Shende Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • Kalbhairav M. Shinde Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • Abhijit V. Tilak Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • Bhalachandra T. Rane Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • Siddhi Raveendran Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India
  • Sanjay A. Dabhade Department of Pharmacology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20170519

Keywords:

American ginseng, Conditioned avoidance response (CAR), Donepezil, Scopolamine

Abstract

Background: Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) includes acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like Donepezil. American ginseng has been postulated to enhance learning and memory owing to its antiapoptotic activity as well as inhibition of formation of β amyloid plaque. Scarce data is available on effect of combination of these two drugs. Hence, we have conducted this study to evaluate the same. Aim and objectives of the study were to evaluate the role of American ginseng on working memory in rats and to compare the effect of American ginseng with Donepezil on working memory in rats.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex, weighing 150-200g were used and obtained from animal house of Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune. To study the effects of the drugs on working memory in rats, they were trained for conditioned avoidance response (CAR) using Cook's pole climbing apparatus. The method of Fellow and Cook was used.

Results: In the group C (i.e. the control group), 50% of rats showed the retention of CAR. In the group S (i.e. only scopolamine group), only 20% of rats showed the retention of CAR. In the group S+AG (i.e. scopolamine and American ginseng), 60% of rats showed the retention of CAR. In the group S+ D (i.e. scopolamine and Donepezil) 70% of rats showed retention of CAR. In the group S+D+AG (i.e. the combination group of scopolamine, Donepezil and American ginseng), 80% of rats showed the retention of CAR.

Conclusions: From this study we can conclude that American ginseng and Donepezil have comparable effects in retention of working memory. The combination of American ginseng and Donepezil can have additive effect on the retention of working memory.

References

Parle M, Singh N, Vasudevan M. Regular rehearsal helps in consolidation of long term memory. J Sports Sci Med. 2006 Mar;5(1):80-8.

Masterman DL. Role of cholinesterase inhibitors in managing behavioural problems in Alzheimer's disease. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;6(3):126-31.

Miranda MI, Ferreira G, Ramírez- LL, Bermúdez-RF. Role of cholinergic system on the construction of memories: taste memory encoding. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2003 Nov;80(3):211-22.

Raded K, Gille G, Liu L, Rousch W. Use of Ginseng

in Medicine with Emphasis on Neurodegenerative Disorders, J Pharmacol Sci. 2006;100:175-86.

Scholey A, Ossoukhova A, Owen L, Ibarra A, Pipinges A, He K et al. Effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on neurocognitive function: An acute, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study. Psychopharmacology. 2010;212:345-56.

Shah J, Goyal R. Comparative clinical evaluation of herbal formulation with multivitamin formulation for learning and memory enhancement. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2010 Jan-Mar;3(1):69-75.

Blokland A. Scopolamine induced deficits in cognitive performance: a review of animal studies. Scopolamine Rev. 2005 Jan;1:1-76.

Naveen K, Kohli K. Effect of metoclopramide on scopolamine induced working memory impairment in rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2003 Mar-Apr;35 (2):104-8.

Castellano C, Cabib S, Puglisi-Allegra S. Psychopharmacology of memory modulation: evidence for multiple interactions among neurotransmitters and hormones. Behav Brain Res. 1996 May;77(1-2):1-21.

Khanzode SD, Belorkar NR, Gosavi DD. Effect of pretreatment of nimodipine and nitrendipine on some dopaminergically mediated behaviour in rats. Indian J Pharmacol. 2000 May-Jun;32(3):235-8.

Furey ML, PietriniP, Haxby JV, Drevets WC. Selective effects of cholinergic modulation on stask performance during selective attention. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2008 Mar;33(4):913-23.

Ghosh MN. Toxicity Studies. Fundamentals of experimental pharmacology. Kolkata, Ghosh SK and others; 2005:192.

Perry E, McKeith I, Ballard C. Butyryl cholinesterase and progression of cognitive deficits in dementia with Lewy bodies. Neurology. 2003 Jun;60(11):1852-3.

Baddeley AD. Working Memory. Science. 1992 Jan;255(5044):556-9.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-24

How to Cite

Shende, S. S., Shinde, K. M., Tilak, A. V., Rane, B. T., Raveendran, S., & Dabhade, S. A. (2017). A comparative study of American ginseng (spp. Panax quinquefolius) and Donepezil on working memory in rats using scopolamine induced disruption of memory. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 6(3), 547–551. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20170519

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles