DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP20
Authors: Ramanujam Narayanan, Kishan P.V., Kavitha C.M., Parvathavarthini S., Seethalakshmi S. and Bhuvaneswari K.
Abstract:
Aim & Objectives: The present study aims to determine the efficacies of Rimonabant and Valsartan in a dual interoceptive-exteroceptive model of amnesia, acutely and sub-acutely.
Experimental Design: Scopolamine, an anti cholinergic drug, is amnesic – it is used in acute and sub acute treatment protocols to test efficacy of test drugs by observation of behavioral changes in forty eight Swiss Albino mice using two different mazes. The design consisted of both saline and disease controls in order to reduce bias and error.
Methodology: In the present study, forty eight Swiss Albino mice were divided into 2 Divisions; first division received single dose (acute) Scopolamine treatment, while the second division received multiple low doses of (sub acute) Scopolamine induction. Each division was ordered into four groups, receiving Saline (Saline control), Scopolamine (Model control), Rimonabant (Test drug # 1), and Valsartan (Test drug # 2). They were then evaluated for their spatial memory and Long Term Memory (LTM) using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) and Y maze, respectively, utilizing standard endpoints. The EPM was used only for acute experiments unlike Y maze that was utilized for both acute and sub acute protocols. The experiments were conducted in a noiseless, dim environment.
Statistical Analysis: Within each division, the individual mice endpoint values were compared within and between the groups using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests, and tabulated as bar charts denoting ± S.E.M. values with box plots.
Results: Rimonabant showed peak nootropic effect in Y maze acutely and improvements in Recognition Indices (R.I.) were noted, at 4 hours post-induction. Rimonabant showed acute improvement in Transfer Latency (T.L.) on EPM. Valsartan showed no statistically significant change in R.I. on Y maze and led to increased T.L. on EPM acutely therefore reduced spatial memory.
Conclusion: Rimonabant had NOR-Memory-enhancing effect 4 hours post induction, and also led to improved spatial memory acutely. Valsartan had no effect on NOR / LTM, and was pro amnesic as far as spatial memory is concerned. Overall, Rimonabant was a better nootropic agent than Valsartan in context of both NOR and spatial memory. Further larger studies do suffice to confirm its memory enhancing effect and to deduce its mechanisms of action as a nootropic drug.
Keywords: Rimonabant, Valsartan, Scopolamine, Maze learning, Memory
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