Abstract
Glabridin was isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra and its effects on cognitive functions and cholinesterase activity were investigated in mice. Glabridin (1, 2 and 4 mg kg-1 , p. o. ) and piracetam (400 mg kg-1 , i. p.), a clinically used nootropic agent, were administered daily for 3 successive days to different groups of mice. The higher doses (2 and 4 mg kg-1 , p. o. ) of glabridin and piracetam significantly antagonized the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.5 mg kg-1 , i. p. ) in both the elevated plus maze test and passive avoidance test. Furthermore, glabridin (2 and 4 mg kg-1 , p. o. ) and metrifonate (50 mg kg-1 , i. p. ), used as a standard drug, both remarkably reduced the brain cholinesterase activity in mice compared to the control group. Therefore, glabridin appears to be a promising candidate for memory improvement and it will be worthwhile to explore the potential of glabridin in the management of Alzheimer patients.
Key words
Glabridin -
Glycyrrhiza glabra
- Leguminosae - cholinesterase - learning - memory
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