Evaluation of the Protective Effect of Andrographolide in Chronic Immobilization Stress Induced Memory Deficits and other Physiological Changes in Rats

Author(s): Mannan Khanna, Guneet Bhatia, Narinder Kaur and Nitish Bhatia

Abstract: Aim Present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of andrographolide on chronic stress (CS) mediated biochemical alterations and memory deficits in rats. Methods Two hour immobilization for ten days was used to induce chronic stress. Physiological and biochemical parameter related to stress such as body weight, adrenal gland weight, ulcer index, plasma glucose, plasma cholesterol were measured in normal, control and drug treated groups. Lipid peroxidation using serum Thiobarbituric Acid reactive Substances (TBARS) and free radical scavenging using serum reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured to assess effect of CS and andrographolide treatment on oxidative stress and inherent antioxidant mechanisms. Effect of CS on memory was evaluated using Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Memory assessment was done on day 2 and Day 10 of stress induction protocol. Transfer Latency (TL) time was noted as an index of memory retrieval. Results CS produced dysfunctional homeostasis as indicated by stress mediated increase in plasma glucose, ulcer index and adrenal gland weight and stress induced decrease in plasma cholesterol and body weight. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation was evident by increased serum TBARS and decreased serum GSH contents. CS resulted in memory deficits as evident from increase in TL time on day 2 and day 10 of retrieval trials. Administration of Andrographolide (50 mg/kg p.o., 100 mg/kg p.o. and 150mg/Kg p.o.) resulted in a dose dependant decrease in the lterations of physiological, biochemical parameters and stress induced memory deficits. Conclusion Andrographolide may possess adaptogenic properties and could be further explored for use as anti-stress agent.

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