Amelioration of AlCl3-induced Memory Loss in the Rats by an Aqueous Extract of Guduchi, a Medhya Rasayana

Abstract

Background In ayurvedic practice, the Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers) stem is used as a Medhya drug for its beneficial effects on memory improvement. Objectives The current study was planned to explore the Medhya properties of the Guduchi stem extract by observing its ameliorating effect on AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity in rats that acted as a chronic model of memory loss. Materials and Methods The aqueous extract of the Guduchi stem was prepared per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and administered to the AlCl3-treated Wistar rats for 42 days. The biochemical assessment of the brain tissues of the treated animals was done by the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay, protein expression, and oxidative stress assays, namely lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase assay. The neurobehavioral assessment was done using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Results The EPM test revealed that treatment with Guduchi extract showed marked improvement of memory status in rats along with reduced oxidative stress, and a marked modulation of the AChE inhibition and expression of AChE tubulin proteins. Conclusion The results substantiate the Medhya properties of the Guduchi. Detailed investigations are required to be carried out to explore the precise mechanism of the neuroprotective action of the Guduchi stem extract against the AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity in rats.