Cassia tora A Potential Cognition Enhancer in Rats with Experimentally Induced Amnesia

Objective: Present study investigates the effect of ethanolic C. tora leaves extract on cognitive function in scopolamine and electroshock induced amnesia in rats. Methods: To explore the potential effect, C. tora extract was screened by administrating three doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 14 days using scopolamine-induced amnesia model. The dose having maximum activity was selected (400 mg/kg) and evaluated by scopolamine and electroshock induced amnesia model, cognition parameters assessed using elevated plus maze, passive avoidance and Morris water maze. The biochemical parameters such as AChE and β amyloid1-42 level from brain homogenate were estimated on 15th day. In vitro acetylcholinesterase microplate assay of C. tora extract at 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 μg/ml concentration was performed. Results: C. tora extract (400 mg/kg) showed increase in escape latency (p<0.001) and time spent in target quadrant (p<0.05) while decrease in transfer latency (p<0.001) was observed in scopolamine induced amnesia. Further, pre-treatment with C. tora (400 mg/kg) significantly reversed the behavioral impairment in scopolamine and electroconvulsive shock induced amnesia also AChE activity (p<0.001) and β amyloid1-42 level (p<0.001) were significantly decreased and IC50 of C. tora extract was found out to be 198.59 μg/ml. Conclusion: Above finding concludes that ethanolic C. tora leaves extract possesses cognition enhancing property in scopolamine and electroshock induced amnesia models.