EVALUATION OF NOOTROPIC ACTIVITY OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM LEAVES IN RODENTS

Evaluation of nootropic activity of Semecarpus anacardium leaves ethyl alcohol extract on exteroceptive behavior and interoceptive behavior was investigated by use of Shuttle box, Continuous Avoidance Response Apparatus and Elevated plus-maze test, Scopolamine-induced amnesia, Diazepam-induced amnesia, and Sodium nitrite-induced amnesia. The beha-vioral study was done using Lithium- induced head twitches (5-HT mediated behavior) test. The ethyl alcohol leaves extract was administered orally in two different dosages to male albino rats (100 and 200 mg/kg daily, p.o. & isolated flavonoid 40 mg/kg daily p.o) and Swiss albino mice (100 and 200 mg/kg Daily p.o. & isolated flavonoid 40mg/kg daily p.o). The result was compared to piracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o) used as a standard drug. The buzzer (conditioned stimulus) and an electric shock (unconditioned stimulus, 30 v and 0.5 sec) were used in the Shuttle box. The ethyl alcohol extract of Semecarpus anacardium leaves showed statically significant improvement in memory retention and learning when compared to control. The study shows that the ethyl alcohol extract of Semecarpus anacardium leaves has the dose-dependent cholinergic activity to improve memory. In light of the above, it may be worthwhile to explore the potential of Semecarpus anacardium in the management of Dementia patients.