Biomolecular Evaluation of <i>Lavandula stoechas</i> L. for Nootropic Activity
2021
Aamir Mushtaq | Rukhsana Anwar | Umar Farooq Gohar | Mobasher Ahmad | Romina Alina Marc (Vlaic) | Crina Carmen Mureşan | Marius Irimie | Elena Bobescu
<i>Lavandula Stoechas</i> L. is widely known for its pharmacological properties. This study was performed to identify its biomolecules, which are responsible for enhancement of memory. <i>L. stoechas</i> aqueous extract was first purified by liquid column chromatography. The purified fractions were analyzed for in vitro anti-cholinesterase activity. The fraction that produced the best anti-cholinesterase activity was named an active fraction of <i>L. stoechas</i> (AfL.s). This was then subjected to GC–MS for identifications of biomolecules present in it. GC–MS indicated the presence of phenethylamine and α-tocopherol in AfL.s. Different doses of AfL.s were orally administered (for seven days) to scopolamine-induced hyper-amnesic albino mice and then behavioral studies were performed on mice for two days. After that, animals were sacrificed and their brains were isolated to perform the biochemical assay. Results of behavioral studies indicated that AfL.s improved the inflexion ratio in mice, which indicated improvement in retention behavior. Similarly, AfL.s significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.001) reduced acetylcholinesterase and malondialdehyde contents of mice brain, but on the other hand, it improved the level of choline acetyltransferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione. It was found that that high doses of AfL.s (≥400 mg/Kg/p.o.) produced hyper-activity, hyperstimulation, ataxia, seizures, and ultimate death in mice. Its LD<sub>50</sub> was calculated as 325 mg/Kg/p.o. The study concludes that α-tocopherol and phenethylamine (a primary amine) present in <i>L. stoechas</i> enhance memory in animal models.
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