Evaluation of Nootropic Potential of the Fruits of Artocarpus altilis by in vivo and in vitro Studies

Abstract:

Background: Artocarpus altilis is an evergreen plant having a variety of medicinal values due to the presence of compounds like cyclopropane sterols, quercetin, camphorol, artocarpine, and many more. The fruits typically contain cycloprane sterols. Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the nootropic potential of the ethanolic extract of the fruits of Artocarpus altilis (EFAA). Materials and Methods: The nootropic activity was evaluated using various models. The animals were divided into eight groups (n=6) consisting of normal control, amnesic control (scopolamine: 1mg/kg), standard drug (piracetam, 200mg/kg), extract, piracetam with scopolamine and three test groups (200, 400 and 800mg/kg, orally). Various in vivo models like Elevated Plus maze, Hebb-William's Maze, and Y-maze were used to evaluate the nootropic potential of EFAA. The brain was isolated, homogenized, and used for biochemical analysis like percentage inhibition of brain Acetylcholinesterase enzyme using Ellman's method and microplate array method. Results: The study revealed that EFAA has significant dose-dependent nootropic activity. A significant decrease in Initial transfer latency, retention transfer latency, the total number of arm entries and AChE enzyme activity, and an increase in percentage alteration. Conclusion: The findings from the present study suggest that EFAA demonstrated a nootropic effect.

Keywords: Acetyl-cholinesterase, Amnesia, Artocarpus altilis, Cognitive functions, Scopolamine.