Anethum Graveolens
Linn (Umbelliferae) Extract Attenuates Stress-induced
Urinary Biochemical Changes and Improves Cognition in
Scopolamine-induced Amnesic Rats
Sushruta Koppula* and Dong
Kug Choi
College of Biomedical
and Health Sciences, Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk
University, Chungju, Republic of Korea.
*For correspondence:
E-mail:
koppula@kku.ac.kr
Tel: +82-43-840-3609; Fax: +82-43852-3616.
Received: 31 August
2010
Revised accepted: 9 November 2010
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, February 2011;
10(1):
47-54
Abstract
Purpose:
Anethum graveolens
Linn. (Umbelliferae, A. graveolens) is a widely used
spice with a long history of traditional medicinal use
for the treatment of various ailments. The present study
examines the anti-stress and cognition-improving effects
of A. graveolens extract in a rat model.
Methods:
Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and ascorbic acid
were estimated as biomarkers for evaluating antistress
activity in rats. Conditioned avoidance response using
Cook’s pole climbing apparatus in normal and
scopolamine-induced amnestic rats was used to assess
cognitive-improving activities. Thiobarbituric acid
reactive substances (TBARS) assay was used to evaluate
antioxidant activity.
Results:
Daily administration of
A. graveolens
at doses of
100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight 1 h prior to
induction of stress inhibited stress-induced urinary
biochemical changes in a dose-dependent manner without
altering the levels in normal control groups. Changes
in cognition (as determined by the acquisition),
retention and recovery in rats were dose-dependent. The
extract also produced significant lipid peroxidation
inhibition in both rat liver and brain, compared to a
reference standard antioxidant, ascorbic acid.
Conclusion:
The aqueous extract of A. graveolens exhibited
significant anti-stress, antioxidant and memory
enhancing activities. The study provides
a scientific basis for the
traditional use of the plant as a culinary spice in
foods.
