Mercurius solubilis attenuates scopolamine-induced memory deficits and enhances the motor coordination in mice

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of mercurius solubilis (merc sol) on scopolamine induced memory deficits and motor coordination in mice.

Materials and methods: Three different formulations of merc sol (30X, 200M, 1M) were screened for their in vitro antioxidant potential through DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and nitric oxide scavenging activity using response surface methodology. Memory impairment was induced by the administration of scopolamine (1mg/kg i.p.) for 3 days to mice and assessment of memory acquisition and retention was done using Morris water maze test, passive avoidance test, elevated plus maze test, light and dark box test, motor coordination was evaluated using rotarod test and inclined plan test. The involvement of ion channels and nitric oxide pathway in the observed effect of merc sol was elucidated by administration of veratrine (0.125 μg/kg, i.p.), A23187 (20 μg/kg, i.p.), L- arginine (40 mg/kg, i.p.), aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior to merc sol. Acute toxicity studies were performed in accordance with the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) guidelines.

Results: In vitro studies have revealed merc sol 30 X to have maximum free radical and nitric oxide scavenging activity. Administration of merc sol 30 X to mice significantly reduced scopolamine induced memory deficits and motor incoordination in all the performance tasks. The calcium ionophore, A23187 significantly altered the effect of merc sol in mice. No major signs of toxicity were observed.

Conclusion: Merc sol has antiamnesic effect in scopolamine induced deficits and motor coordination in mice.

KEYWORDS:

• Mercurius
• scopolamine
• memory
• Morris water maze
• cognition

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge grant received under UPE scheme of University Grants Commission (UGC). Anudeep Kaur and Gurjit Singh received the grant under UGC-MANF and UGC-NFSC schemes respectively. The authors gratefully acknowledge the guidance and help provided by Dr. M S Bhatti in optimization studies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Simranjeet Kaur

Simranjeet Kaur is a post graduate student and completed her project under the guidance of Dr. Rajbir Bhatti.

Anudeep Kaur

Anudeep Kaur is a research scholar, pursuing PhD under the supervision of Dr. Rajbir Bhatti in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.

Gurjit Singh

Gurjit Singh is a research scholar, pursuing PhD under the supervision of Dr. Rajbir Bhatti in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.

Rajbir Bhatti

Rajbir Bhatti is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India. Currently she is working on the molecular mechanisms of pain, dementia and other different neurological disorders.