Memory-enhancing activity of Anacyclus pyrethrum in albino Wistar rats

Objective: To explore the potential effect of ethanolic extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum (A. pyrethrum) in\udmemory dysfunction. Methods: Memory impairment was produced by administration of scopolamine\ud(1mg/kg i. p) in rats. Passive avoidance paradigms, elevated plus maze and social learning task was\udused to assess learning and memory. Results: A. pyrethrum extract treated group decreased transfer\udlatency in elevated plus maze model paradigm which is an indicative of cognition improvement. In\udcase of passive avoidance paradigm extract treated group exhibited prounced effect in reversal of\udscopolamine induced amnesia which was revealed by increase in step down latency. Social learning\udtask also revealed the memory enhancing activity of A. pyrethrum extract. Conclusions: Ethanolic\udextract of A. pyrethrum has been demonstrated to improve cognitive processes by enhancing memory\udin different experimental paradigms such as passive avoidance paradigms, elevated plus maze and\udsocial learning task when administered orallyBrain cholinesterase level was measured to assess\udcentral cholinergic activity. The treatment with drugs, which increase cholinergic neurotransmission,\udcauses an improvement in cognitive deficits. The present study suggest that ethanolic extract of A.\udpyrethrum increased brain cholinesterase level and hence it possess memory enhancing activity in\udscopolamine induced amnesia model by enhancing central cholinergic neurotransmission