Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-amnesic effects of Crataeva nurvala stem bark in scopolamine induced amnesia in rats. Methods: The standardized aqeous extract of Crataeva nurvala (AECN) was freshly dissolved in distilled water and administered orally to rats at the dose of 500 mg/kg for evaluation of its effects against scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) induced retrograde and anterograde amnesia. The effects of the extract on escape latency during the acquisition trial (Days 1-4) and the time spent in target quadrant (TSTQ) during the retrieval trial (Day 5) were determined using the Morris water maze test. In order to indicate the probable mechanism of C. nurvala, its effects on acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and TBARS levels in the brain were determined. Results: In scopolamine induced retrograde amnesia treatment with AECN showed a significant (p

Key words: Key words: Alzheimer; Morris water maze; acetylcholinesterase; lipid peroxidation.