Evaluation of Nootropic Potential of Aerva persica Roots against
D-galactose-induced Memory Impairment
Authors: Asif Mohammad , Fatima Kaneez , Gilani Sadaf Jamal , Taleuzzaman Mohamad , Ali Syed Salman , Siddiqui Samera Ali 
Published: August 2023

Background:

The primary phytoconstituents reported to have neuroprotective effects are flavonoids
and phenolic compounds. Aerva persica roots are reported to be rich in flavonoids and phenolic
compounds. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the nootropic potential of Aerva persica roots.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nootropic potential of Aerva persica
roots against D-galactose-induced memory impairment.

Methods:

In this study, the roots of Aerva persica were extracted with 70% ethanol. The obtained
extract was evaluated for total phenolic content using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and total flavonoid
content using the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay. Afterward, the acute oral toxicity of
the extract was determined following the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) guideline 423. Additionally, two doses of Aerva persica (100 and 200 mg/kg body
weight (BW)) were evaluated for their nootropic potential against D-galactose-induced memory
impairment. The nootropic potential of the crude extract was assessed through a behavioural study
and brain neurochemical analysis. Behavioural studies involved the evaluation of spatial reference-
working memory using the radial arm maze test and the Y-maze test. Neurochemical analysis
was performed to determine the brain’s acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione (GSH),
and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Results:

The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were found to be 179.14 ± 2.08 μg
GAE/mg and 273.72 ± 3.94 μg QE/mg, respectively. The Aerva persica extract was found to be
safe up to 2000 mg/kg BW. Following the safety assessment, the experimental mice received various
treatments for 14 days. The behavioural analysis using the radial maze test showed that the extract
at both doses significantly improved spatial reference-working memory and reduced the
number of total errors compared to disease control groups. Similarly, in the Y-maze test, both doses
significantly increased the alteration percentage and the percentage of novel arm entry (both indicative
of intact spatial memory) compared to disease control. In neurochemical analysis, Aerva
persica at 200 mg/kg significantly normalised the acetylcholine level (p<0.0001) and GSH level
(p<0.01) compared to disease control. However, the same effect was not observed with Aerva
persica at 100 mg/kg. Additionally, Aerva persica at 200mg/kg BW significantly decreased the
acetylcholinesterase level (p<0.0001) and decreased the brain’s MDA level (p<0.01) compared to
the disease control, whereas the effect of Aerva persica at 100 mg/kg BW in reducing acetylcholinesterase
was non-significant.

Conclusion:

Based on the results, it can be concluded that the nootropic potential of Aerva persica
was comparable to that of the standard drug, Donepezil, and the effect might be attributed to the
higher content of flavonoids and phenolic compounds.