Ethanolic extract of Gongronema latifolium improves learning and memory in Swiss albino Mice

Abstract

Learning and memory are vital attributes of human intelligence. These processes underlie the very nature of our self-awareness, planning and execution of task. The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 35.6 million. About 80% of the world’s population depend on herbal remedies to curb mental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administration of ethanolic leaves extract of Gongronema latifolium (GL) on learning and memory in mice. Thirty (30) adult male Swiss white mice were assigned into three groups of ten mice each. Group I served as the control. Groups 2 and 3 received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of GL extract respectively. All the animals were allowed food and water ad libitum. Learning and memory was assessed using the Morris water-maze. Results showed that the swimming latencies during the acquisition and reversal trainings, and probe trial were significantly (p<0.001) decreased in the extract treated groups when compared with the control. The south-east duration was significantly (p<0.001) increased in the extract treated groups when compared with the control group. There was a corresponding decrease (p<0.001) in the south-east duration in the extract treated groups when compared to the control. In conclusion, extract of GL enhances visio-spatial learning and cognitive memory. It could therefore be of therapeutically use in cases of memory loss or impairment. 
 Keywords: Gongronema latifolium, learning, memory, Morris water maze, mice.

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, PROXIMATE STATUS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Gongronema latifolium (Benth) FRUIT

“…This result is in line with that reported by Osuagwu et al (2013) and Offor et al (2015); in their separate research, they observed higher concentration of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and scarce quantity of alkaloids in the dried leaves of G. latifolium. The high increase in flavonoid and phenol contents recorded in the fruit of G. latifolium may provide antioxidant capacities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals protecting the cells against oxidative damage (Osuagwu et al, 2013;Ujong et al, 2022). Tannins extracted from G. latifolium fruit extract could inhibit food deterioration through inhibition of oxidative enzymes such as lipoxygenase (Eze and Nwanguma, 2013).…”

Gongronema latifolium leaf extract protects against dexamethasone‐induced myocardial cell injury via cardiac oxido‐inflammatory molecules modulation

“…The body weights of animals were taken using an electronic weighing balance at the start and daily till the end of the experiment. The dose of GL leaf extract that was used in the present study was selected based on the outcome of the lethal dose (LD50: 1050 mg/kg) experiment in our laboratory (Ujong et al, 2022).…”

“…Gongronema latifolium (GL) is one of such plants that have potential phytochemicals with medicinal properties. GL is an edible rainforest plant (Ujong et al, 2022) belonging to the family of Asclepiadaceae. In sub‐Saharan Africa, the leaves of this plant are often used as a spicing agent in cuisines and as a medicinal herb (Showande et al, 2019).…”