Evaluation of Antiamnesic and Cholinesterase inhibitory effects of Illicium verum hook.f (Star anise) against Scopolamine induced memory impairment in Mice

Abstract

Objectives: The current study is carried out on the methanol extract of Illicium verum hook.f (MEIV) to evaluate and examine anti-amnesic effects of Illicium verum hook.f by using the radial arm maze model. Study design and setting: This experimental observational study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology, Hamdard university from 20th November 2017 to 20th May 2018. after ethical approval from Board of Advanced studies and Research under agenda item NO.5.1 held on October 20, 2016. Methodology: Total N=30 healthy albino mice were treated with graded doses of methanol extract of Illicium verum hook.f (MEIV) (300 and 500mg/kg p.o.) to verify its effectiveness regarding scopolamine induce memory impairment. Afterward, in-vitro studies were performed on isolated parts of brain mice by using an F2000 fluorescent spectrophotometer (Hitachi) to analyze the acetylcholinesterase level. Results: Investigation reveals that methanol extracts of Illicium verum hook.f (MEIV) by oral administration reduces the incidence of working and reference memory errors additionally this investigation was proved that active avoidance responses in scopolamine-treated group decreased. The acetylcholine esterase level was significantly reduced at the dose of 300 mg/kg (102.05±1.93µmol/min/mg) as compared to the positive control group (161.33±2.347 µmol/min/mg). Conclusion: Based on behavioral and biochemical investigations, we concluded that MEIV produces anti-amnesic effects by the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, which might be due to the presence of various essential phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoid, polyphenols. Our finding reveals that Illicium verum is among the screened plants to be assessed further as an herbal substitute for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease