Evaluation of Nootropic activity Potential of Krill Oil in Diazepam Induced Amnesic Mice

 

Jayanth P. C. *, Prasanna Kumar Kar, M. Niranjan Babu

Department of Pharmacology, Seven Hills College of Pharmacy, Venkataramapuram, Tirupati- 517561.

 

ABSTRACT:

The present study was carried to evaluate the nootropic activity potential of krill oil using diazepam (5mg/kg) induced amnesia in mice. Nootropic activity was evaluated using radial arm maze (RAM), Y- maze, Morris water maze were employed to evaluate the activity. The results demonstrated that the percentage of memory increased was comparable with that of standard drug piracetam (20mg/kg). It was observed that there was increase in 45.29% of memory when it was tested in radial arm maze (RAM) and the escape latency was quantified using Morris water maze was gradually decreased from Day 0 to Day 14 i.e. 38.5 ± 0.76 to 13.22 ± 0.31, there was 89.4% of memory increased when the treated animals were tested in Y maze. So by the above results it is concluded that krill oil possess the nootropic activity. So this drug can be used for the various amnesic disorders like Short term memory loss, Alzheimers disease etc.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Cognitive enhancers (nootropics) are drugs to treat cognition deficits in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, stroke, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or aging^1. Cognition refers to a capacity for information processing, applying knowledge, and changing preferences. It involves memory, attention, executive functions, perception, language, and psychomotor functions. The term nootropics was coined in 1972 when memory enhancing properties of piracetam were observed in clinical trials ². In the meantime, hundreds of drugs have been evaluated in clinical trials or in preclinical experiments .

 

To classify the compounds, a concept is proposed assigning drugs to 19 categories according to their mechanism(s) of action, in particular drugs interacting with receptors, enzymes, ion channels, nerve growth factors, re-uptake transporters, antioxidants, metal chelators, and disease-modifying drugs meaning small molecules, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies interacting with amyloidosis ³. For drugs, whose mechanism of action is not known, they are either classified according to structure, e.g., peptides, or their origin, e.g., natural products .Nootropics are called smart drugs, memory enhancers, neuro enhancers, cognitive enhancers, and intelligence enhancers.⁴

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Pharmacological studies

Healthy adult Swiss albino mice were selected (25-50 gm) which were maintained in well ventilated room with 12:12 hour light and dark cycle in polypropylene cages. The animals fed with standard pellet and water was given ad libitum. All the experiments was carried out according to the guidelines for care and use of experimental animals and approved by CPCSEA

 

Experimental procedure

Swiss albino mice weighing 25-50 gm were selected. The dose level of Krill oil was 500 mg/kg were administered.

 

The body weight of the rats before and after administration were noted that changes in skin and fur, Eyes, Mucous membrane, Respiratory, Circulatory, autonomic and central nervous system and motor activity and behaviour pattern were observed and also sign of tremors, convulsions, salivation, diarrhoea, lethargy, sleep and coma were noted.

 

Methodology

Diazepam induced Amnesia

Mono sexual animals were randomly divided in 4 groups each of two rats

Group-I - Normal control

Group-II-Diazepam induced Amnesia (5mg/kg)

Group-III- Diazepam induced amnesia + Piracetam (20mg/kg)

Group-IV - Diazepam Induced Amnesia + Krill oil (500mg/kg)

 

Piracetam and Krill oil was administered daily throughout the study period i.e. 14 Days ⁵.

 

Statistical Analysis

The data were expressed as mean ± Standard error mean. The significance of differences among the group was assessed using one way and multiple ways Analyses Of Variance (ANOVA). The test followed by Student T Test.

 

 

 

RESULTS:

Table 1: Radial Arm Maze

N=2 in each group. Data expressed in mean ±Standard deviation by two way ANOVA followed by Student T-test

 

 

 

Fig 1: A Plot showing percentage memory increased.

 

 

Table 2: Morris Water Maze

S. No	Group	Escape Latency (in seconds)
		Day 0	Day 7	Day 14
1	I	47.33±0.88	27.16±1.16	15±0.96
2	II	51.66±1.08	47.66±0.66	46.16±0.87
3	III	43.83±1.16	13.42±2.14	10.12±0.47
4	IV	38.5±0.76	19.5±0.71	13.22±0.31

N=2 in each group. Data expressed in mean ±Standard deviation by two way ANOVA followed by Student T-test

 

 

 

Fig 2: Plot showing differences in escape latency on different days.

 

Table 3: Y Maze

S. No	Group	Arm Entries ( In seconds)		Percentage Increase
		Initial	Final
1	I	84.06±0.20	84.2±0.209	99.8%
2	II	38.06±0.3349	73.34±0.3249	53.02%
3	III	66.6±0.3736	63.54±0.3340	95.40%
4	IV	45.06±0.4140	40.34±0.324	89.4%

N=2 in each group. Data expressed in mean ±Standard deviation by two way ANOVA followed by Student T-test.

 

 

 

Fig 3: Plot showing percentage of arm entries

 

 

 

DISCUSSION:

1.    It is familiar that Amnesia is common Aging and due to wage of some drugs.

2.    The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the Nootropic activity of krill oil in experimentally induced amnesia model of mice.

3.    Amnesia was induced by single intraperitoneal administration of diazepam at the dose of 5mg/kg before 24hrs of experiment.

4.    By the present study, we came to know that the krill possess Nootropic activity which was evaluated using water maze, radial arm maze and Y-maze.

5.    In table 7.1 ,we have discussed the percentage of memory increased using radial arm maze where we found the percentage of memory increased krill oil was found to be 45.29%where it is compared with std drug[Piracetam]

6.    In table 7.2, we subjected all the group of animals to Morris water maze; we found that the escape latency of mice treated with krill oil was found satisfactory when compared with standard drug, Piracetam (20mg/kg). The escape latency was decreased gradually from Day 0 to Day 14 i.e. 43.83±1.16 to 10.12±0.47.

7.    In table 7.3 by using Y maze, we determined that spontaneous alternation which was found satisfactory when compared to standard drug, Piracetam (20mg/kg). The spontaneous was comparable up to 75% with standard drug i.e. 63.54±0.3340 and 40.34±0.324.

8.    All the results was calculated using Two way ANOVA where all the values were subjected to student t-test and the results was concluded in results section.

 

CONCLUSION:

By the above study, we had concluded that the krill oil possess the Nootropic activity which was evaluated using Morris water, radial arm and Y-maze. 

 

REFERENCES:

1.     Michael S.  et.al (2006). The Ethical Brain: The Science of Our Moral Dilemmas (P.S.).  N.Y: Harper Perennial. p. 184.

2.     Giurgea C et.al (1972). "Pharmacology of integrative activity of the brain. Attempt at nootropic concept in psychopharmacology ("Vers une pharmacologie de l'active integrative du cerveau: Tentative du concept nootrope en psychopharmacologie")". Actual Pharmacol p 25: 115–56.

3.     Sahakian B, et al (December 2007). "Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy" in Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science". 450 (7173): 1157–9.

4.     Paula J et al (2008). The medical basis of psychiatry. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. ISBN 1-58829-917-1.

5.     Hemant et al(2014) Nootropic Activity of Saponins obtained from Tinospora cordifolia Stem in Scopolamine induced Amnesia International Journal of Pharma Research and Review, Feb 2014; 3(2):28-35.

 

 

 

Received on 24.05.2016       Modified on 10.06.2016

Accepted on 28.06.2016      ©A&V Publications All right reserved