Consumption of Ashtanga Ghrita (clarified cow butter added with herb extracts) improves cognitive dysfunction induced by scopolamine in rats via regulation of acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative stress

Abstract

Objectives Ashtanga Ghrita (AG), an Indian traditional formulation, has been used to promote neuropharmacological activities. AG is made up of clarified cow butter (ghee) and eight different herbs. Methods To test whether scopolamine (SCP)-induced dementia and brain oxidative stress can be counteracted by AG, rats were separated into five groups (n=6/group): group one control, group two SCP (1 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) treated and group three to five were co-treated with different doses of AG (1.25, 2.5 and 5 g/kg b.w., orally) and SCP. After the treatment regimen, behavioral (Y-maze test) and brain biochemical changes were measured in all groups. Results Microbial load and heavy metals were found within permissible limits. Results from attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the complexation/interaction of herbal phytoconstituents with the functional groups of Ghrita. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of AG exhibited the occurrence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, steroids, triterpenes, tannins, and amino acids. Findings of the experimental study exhibited that AG significantly protected the rats from SCP-induced behavioral dysfunction and brain biochemical alterations. Conclusions This study demonstrates that AG protects the brain from SCP-induced dementia by promoting brain antioxidant activity and thus could be a promising drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Minocycline alleviated scopolamine-induced amnesia by regulating antioxidant and cholinergic function

“…These results, thus, suggest increased oxidative stress in the hippocampus and cortex. Our findings were concurred with the previous studies indicating the correlation between oxidative stress and dementia following scopolamine administration [ 33 , 38 ]. For instance, in the year 2021, investigators demonstrated depletion of brain antioxidant capacity and elevated AChE activity in scopolamine-induced dementia.…”

Reviewing the Traditional/Modern Uses, Phytochemistry, Essential Oils/Extracts and Pharmacology of Embelia ribes Burm.

“…Clinically recognized targets of Alzheimer′s disease (AD) include beta-secretase (BACE-1) and cholinesterase, both of which have benefited greatly from natural products [ 54 ]. Considering AD is a significant public health concern, it needs the use of multi-targeted medications to treat it [ 55 , 56 ]. The enzymes namely acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and β-site of amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE-1) were inhibited by embelin, with IC50 values of 2.5, 5.4, and 2.1 μM, respectively.…”