EVALUATION OF COGNITION ENHANCING ACTIVITY OF SESBANIA GRANDIFLORA (L.) FRUITS EXTRACT ON HIGH FAT DIET INDUCED DEMENTIA

The study was aimed to justify the traditional claim of fruits of Sesbania grandiflora (Leguminosae) as a medhya rasayana. Dementia was induced with chronic administration of a high fat diet for 90 days. Petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethanol extracts of fruits of Sesbania grandiflora were evaluated for cognition-enhancing activity in high-fat diet-induced dementia in rats using an elevated plus maze and biochemical estimation of brain AchE and cholesterol level. Piracetam (200 mg/kg p.o.) as standard drug. Transfer latency (TL) was observed in HFD induced rats using EPM which showed significant increase (p<0.01) in TL as compared to the normal control group. The high-fat diet-induced rats showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in AchE and cholesterol levels as compared to normal control. Whereas petroleum ether extract treated rats showed a significant increase (p<0.01) in AchE and cholesterol level. Treatment with benzene, chloroform, acetone ethanol extract of Sesbania grandiflora fruits inhibited the rise in brain acetylcholinesterase and cholesterol level. These observations established traditional claim, and thus Sesbania grandiflora could be memory enhancer might be due to the presence of flavonoids.