Abstract

Nanjappaiah H. M.*, Santosh R. Awasti, Shivakumar Hugar and V. P. Patil

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present work was designed to investigate the neuroprotectiveefficacy of methanolic extract of Tecoma stans flowers (METSF) in laboratoryanimal models. Methodology: The extract of Tecoma stans flowers wasinvestigated against motorcordation test, elevated plus maze and by morris watermaze. The standard drugs, various doses of METSF was administered toexperimental animals to assess the motorcordation test using rotarod apparatus,retention of memory in mice using elevated plus maze and learning & memorystudy by morris water maze. Results: The animals administered with drug andMETSF showed a increase in muscle grip action on the 0 day, 7th day, 14th day and21st day compared to positive control animals. Pretreatment with drug and testextract at different doses showed a reduction of LPO and nitrite levels in brainwhen compared to positive control animals. On administration of standard and testextract at different doses showed a marked increase in levels of GSH and Totalprotein when matched to positive control animals. In elevated plus maze model theDonepezil and METSF of various doses significantly reversed (decreased the TL)scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice as compared to scopolaminetreated groups. The scopolamine administered mice showed significant increase inthe ELT as compared to normal control group animals. However, the administrationof METSF at different doses and standard drug Donepezil was found to reduce theELT significantly as compared to that of scopolamine treated animals. Conclusion:The protective property of METSF may be due to preventing the oxidative stressand potent anti-oxidant property.