European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EVALUATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTY OF RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA IN HIGH FAT DIET (HFD) AND STREPTOZOTOCIN (I.C.V) INDUCED MEMORY IMPAIRMENT IN MICE

Somesh* and Atiksha Rawat

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to evaluate the Neuroprotective property of Rauwolfia serpentina in High Fat Diet (HFD) and Streptozotocin (ICV) induced Memory impairment in mice. Eleven groups of mice and each group comprising of six animals were employed in the present study. Different doses of Rauwolfia serpentina (10, 30, 60 mg/kg) was administered during experiment. Mice were treated with i.c.v streptozotocin and kept on High Fat diet for 90 days to induce memory impairment. A methanolic extract (95%) of Rauwolfia serpentina enriched with polyphenols was prepared. Memory was evaluated by using Morris Water Maze (MWM) and Elevated plus Maze (EPM). At the end of the study, total serum cholesterol level, Lipid Peroxidation level, Reduced Glutathione level and Brain total protein level were estimated. Administration of Rauwolfia serpentina (RS) attenuated HFD and STZ induced rise in ELT and HFD induced decrease in time spent in target quadrant in MWM. Initial transfer latency (ILT) did not differ significantly in any of the groups whereas administration of Rauwolfia serpentina (RS) lowered the retention transfer latency (RTL) in HFD and STZ treated mice. Administration of RS produced significant decrease in STZ induced brain oxidative stress (increase in lipid Peroxidation (LPO), decrease in reduced glutathione level). On administration of RS, high fat diet treated mice also produced significant reversal of elevated serum cholesterol levels and memory impairment. These finding suggest that Rauwolfia serpentina may have a promising role as prophylactic agent in HFD and streptozotocin induced experimental dementia due to its Neuroprotective property.

Keywords: Dementia, Streptozotocin, Neuroprotective, Polyphenols.