World Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Open Access

A person's thoughts, knowledge, interpretation, understanding, and beliefs are all included in their internal and exterior mental processes, which are collectively referred to as cognition. Severe cognitive problems may result from damage to these areas. Globally, degenerative neurological disorders are a major contributor to memory loss and other cognitive problems. It does not differentiate between the sexes, yet it disproportionately affects the elderly [1,2]. Epilepsy patients often struggle with cognitive impairment due to either the disease itself or the medications used to treat it. Evidence suggests that nootropics may help with a variety of memory and focus issues. While Piracetam (PIM) research has focused mostly on its cognitive benefits, it has also been demonstrated to have anti-myoclonus and anti amnesic qualities in a variety of experimental conditions. The anticonvulsant phenytoin has been shown to impair learning and memory [3]. To avoid cognitive decline, it may be helpful to mix antiepileptic medication with nootropics. The majority of people with epilepsy will need lifelong treatment with antiepileptic medication. Because of this, it's possible that the nootropic drugs need thorough testing and long-term use.

Memory

Specifically "the mental representation and subsequent retrieval of perceptual experiences, mental representations, and other forms of information and experience". In psychology, memory refers to a person's recollection of previously learned material. Although early research on memory was undertaken in the philosophical realms, by the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, cognitive psychology paradigms were used to the study of memory [4]. As the growing discipline that represents the marriage of cognitive psychology and neuroscience, it has become one of the cornerstones of cognitive neuroscience in recent decades.

Classification based on time span

In cognitive psychology, we often talk about three types of memory: Sensory, working, and permanent (Figures 1 and 2). Data exchange across these databases is often known as

 

Figure 1: Classification of long term memory.

 

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of MPP+intracellular pathway.

Plant profile

White goosefoot diagram shown in Figure 3.

 

Figure 3: Leaves of Chenopodium album herb.

Botanical classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Sub-kingdom: Tracheobionta

Superdivision: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Sub-class: Caryophyllidae

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Amaranthaceae

Sub-family: Chenopodiaceae

Genus: Chenopodium

Species: Chenopodium album

Habitat: Chenopodium album may be found almost everywhere, with notable concentrations in areas with high levels of nitrogen in the soil (such as those in Africa, Australia, North America, and Oceania).

Chemicals and reagents

All the substances like chemicals, drugs and reagents that are used in the study were of analytical grade and procured from various manufacturers (Table 1).

Table 1: List of chemicals and reagents.

Insoluble acid ash value

After adding the collected plant material's entire ash content to 25 ml of heated H₂O and letting it steep for 15 minutes, they added 25% v/v HCl to a 100 ml beaker and let it freeze. Finally, they filtered the mixture using Whattman filter paper No. 44 (without ash) and rinsed the residue twice with hot water. The filter paper with the insoluble ash on it was burned in a sintered crucible at 1000 degrees Celsius [5,6]. Finally, the acid unsolvable ash content was determined by weighing the crucible and the leftovers using the following formula:

The percentage of acid insoluble ash is equal to (a/y) multiplied by 100.

Where, a=the weight of the leftovers or residual and y=the measured amount of powder in grammes.

Value of water soluble ash

Two grams of the powdered (air-dried) material was used to negotiate the whole ash value. After 5 minutes of boiling, the ash was completely dissolved. Unsolvable material was congested on ashless or ash-free filter paper, washed with hot distilled water, and burned for 15 minutes with 25 ml of distilled H2O below 4500 degrees Celsius. Ash that could be dissolved in water was calculated by subtracting the mass of the insoluble material from the total mass of the ash. The percentage of water-soluble ash was determined relative to an air-dried plant specimen using the following formula:

Ash value (percent) in water=(a/y) × 100

Water-soluble ash=total ash minus water-insoluble ash.

Where, a=the weight of the leftovers or residual and y=the measured amount of powder in grammes.

Chenopodium album leaves chemical tests

The following findings were obtained from micro-chemical testing on powdered Chenopodium album leaves:

Cellulose detection

Test with iodine: Under the microscope, powdered leaves put on glass slides and treated with iodine solution were studied.

Test with sulfuric acid: Under the microscope, powdered leaves put on glass slides and treated with iodine solution and sulphuric acid were studied.

Chitin detection

Test with iodine: To examine the powdered leaves, a solution of iodine was applied to a glass slide where they were placed.

Iodine and sulfuric acid dissolved in water test: The leaves were powdered, put on a glass slide, treated with a solution of iodine and sulphuric acid, and then examined using a microscope.

The phloroglucinol concentration Test+HCl: The leaf powder was placed on the glass slide. Phloroglucinol and concentrated pH. It was then cooked with a 1:1 solution of HCl and examined under a microscope [7].

Check for safranin: A glass slide was affixed with powdered leaves. Safranin was introduced, and its effects were studied under a microscope.

Fat and fixed oil detection

The chloroform procedure: A microscope was used to examine leaf powder that had been put on a glass slide and had a few drops of chloroform applied to it.

Suberin and cutin detection, version

Test with iodine: A glass slide with some powdered leaves on it was placed in some iodine solution and examined under a microscope.

Test with sulfuric acid: The powdered leaves were placed on a glass slide and examined under a microscope after being treated with a solution of iodine and sulphuric acid.

Test for red in Sudan: To examine the powdered leaves, a solution of Sudan Red III was applied to a glass slide and then examined under a microscope [8].

Tannin detection

Examine with ferric chloride: The sample drug's powdered leaves are placed on a glass slide, and a few drops of ferric chloride solution are added before being examined under a microscope.

Starch detection

Test with iodine: Leaves were ground into a powder, placed on a glass slide, and then examined under a microscope after being treated with a drop of iodine solution.

Animals used in tests

Male wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were used for the nootropic activity study after receiving approval from the institutional animal care and use committee. These rats were kept in the animal house at department of pharmaceutical sciences Kumaun University, Nainital for this purpose [9]. Every animal will be given 7 days to acclimatise under standard husbandry circumstances, with an average temperature of at a constant 25°C (77°F), relative humidity of 45–55 percent, and a light/dark cycle of 12 × 12 hours (or ambient temperature). Each useful group or team will form its own animal team and ensure that no animals in it are simultaneously applying for jobs in other departments. The animals will spend 48 hours becoming used to the laboratory environment. Before the standard operating procedure for skeletonizing if someone is under duress of any kind. All animal care techniques complied with CPCSEA regulations as out by the government of India's ministry of forest and environment [10].

Group 1: Normal control: Normal rats were maintained on standard chow diet and water ad libitum.

Group 2: Scopolamine control/negative control: Scopolamine (3 mg/kg; i.p.) for 14 days to impair learning and memory (Alzheimer diseases) [11].

Group 3: Standard/positive control (+Scopolamine): Piracetam (standard drug) (150 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered once daily for 14 days along with Scopolamine.

Group 4: Test group I (Scopolamine+CaEe 250 mg/kg; p.o.): Once daily for 14 days along with Scopolamine [12].

Group 5: Test group II (Scopolamine+CaEe 500 mg/kg; p.o.): Once daily for 14 days along with Scopolamine.

Group 6: Test group III (Scopolamine+CaAe 250 mg/kg; p.o.): Once daily for 14 days along with Scopolamine [13].

Group 7: Test group IV (Scopolamine+CaAe 500 mg/kg; p.o.): Once daily for 14 days along with Scopolamine.

Plant authentication

A coupon specimen of Chenopodium album leaves obtained in Haldaur, Uttar Pradesh, was identified and the drug was authenticated from the National Ayurveda Dietetics Research Institute, Bangalore.

Macroscopical characters

The following macroscopical characters of Chenopodium album leaves were observed (Table 2).

Table 2: Observations of macroscopical characters.

Chemical constituents present in Chenopodium album leaves

Leaves powdered from Chenopodium album were subjected to a battery of micro-chemical analyses, the results of which revealed the presence of cellulose, chitin, fixed oils and fats, suberin, sudan red cutin, tannins, starch, mucilage, proteins, calcium oxalate crystals, cellulose cell wall, and calcium carbonate (Table 3) [14,15].

Table 3: Micro-chemical constituents of Chenopodium album leaves.

Physicochemical characters

Total ash contents of Chenopodium album leaves: By deducting the full crucible's weight from the empty crucible's weight, the plant's entire ash value could be determined [16]. Chenopodium album has a total ash value of 12 mg/g (Table 4).

Table 4: Total ash value.

Value of acid insoluble ash of Chenopodium album leaves: The acid unsolvable ash of the leaves was calculated as subtracting total ash from wt. of crucible and weigh of unsolvable acid ash. The Chenopodium album leaves acid unsolvable ash was find out that is 8.5 mg/g (Table 5) [17].

Table 5: Acid-insoluble ash.

Water soluble ash content of Chenopodium album leaves: The water soluble ash of the plant was calculated by subtracting total ash from wt. of crucible and weigh of soluble ash in water. The Chenopodium album leaves ash which is soluble in water found to be 4 mg/g (Table 6 and Figures 4,5) [18-20].

Table 6: Water soluble ash.

Figure 4: Effect of ethanol and aqueous extacts of Chenopodium album leaves extracts and Piracetam on spontaneous locomotor activity in Scopolamine treated rats.

Figure 5: Data are presented as mean SD (n=6), with a and b denoting significant differences between the normal and Scopolamine groups, respectively.

In conclusion, this study into the potential memory-enhancing effects of Chenopodium album leaf extracts in Wistar rats has provided promising insights. The experimental data suggests that the extracts possess bioactive compounds that might positively influence cognitive functions. Through a series of behavioral tests, including the Morris Water Maze and Y-Maze, significant improvements were observed in the spatial learning and memory retention of rats administered with these extracts compared to the control group. These findings indicate that Chenopodium album could potentially be harnessed as a natural memory-enhancing agent.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the need for further research to confirm these results and understand the underlying mechanisms. Future studies should aim to identify the specific compounds responsible for these effects and investigate their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Additionally, exploring the long-term effects and safety profile of Chenopodium album extracts will be essential to evaluate their practical applications in cognitive health.

Overall, this research lays a foundation for the development of novel memory enhancement strategies derived from natural sources. It opens avenues for future investigations into herbal remedies for cognitive support, potentially leading to new therapeutic options for memory-related disorders. As always, translating these findings into clinical practice will require rigorous validation through human trials to ensure efficacy and safety.

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