Ashwlayan Vrish Dhwaj andRanjit Singh
Methanolic extract of roots of Asparagus racemosus wild (Liliaceae) was investigated for its reversal effect on memory deficits in mice. Two doses the extract (75 and 150 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered for seven consecutive days. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.), sodium nitrite (75 mg/kg, i.p.) were used to induce memory deficits (amnesia). Elevated plus maze (EPM) and Morris water maze (MWM) were employed to evaluate short and long term memory respectively. Scopolamine and sodium nitrite treatment produced significant impairment of elevated plus maze and Morris water maze performance indicating impairment of memory. The methanolic root extract (150 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (p<0.05) improved EPM and MWM performance of scopolamine and sodium nitrite treated mice. The results indicated potential of the plant in relieving memory deficits.
