Falguni Majmudara, Mital Bhadaniab*, Hanumanthachar Joshic
aDepartment of Pharmacology, Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, India.
bProject Manager, McLeon Pharmaceuticals, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
cDepartment of Pharmacology, Sardavilas college of Pharmacy, Mysore, India.
*Author for correspondence
Dr. Mital Bhadania
McLeon Pharmaceuticals, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Abstract
Background: Enhancement in the life-span of human beings in developed and developing countries has resulted in proportionate increase in the number of patients suffering from senile age-associated dementia. Memory impairment during aging is believed to be a consequence of decline in neuronal function and increase in neurodegeneration. Impaired neurotransmission at cholinergic synapses may contribute to the devastating loss of cognitive abilities in Alzheirmer’s disease. It is suggested that a selective decrease in acetylcholine level may account for deterioration in learning and memory process, considering the important role for cognitive functions. Nootropic agents like piracetam and anticholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used for improving memory, mood and behaviours. Objective: Menthol, a natural alcohol and found in mint leaves and many essential oils. The present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of menthol on cognitive functions employing long term exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral model in young and aged male mice. Materials and methods: to evaluate learning and memory, Menthol (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, s.c.) and Piracetam (200mg/kg, i.p.) were administered for 10 days passive avoidance and 11 days for morris water maze test.Brain amino acid level was measured after 10 days of passive avoidance. Whole brain acetylcholinesterase level and antioxidant level estimations were done after 11 days of morris water maze test. Results and conclusion: Lower dose of menthol produced significant improvement in spatial learning and memory by improving whole brain acetylcholine level, antioxidant level and brain amino acid in scopolamine and aged group of mice.
Keywords: Menthol, nootropic agents, alzheimer’s disease, cognitive disorders, memory, glutamate
