Enhancing cognitive performance with rejuvenation of brain antioxidant markers and acetylcholinesterase activity by ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo L. seeds in scopolamine-induced model of dementia in rats

Background: Cucurbita pepo L. herb has been traditionally used for treating numerous disorders in Asian and African countries, including India. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the memory-enhancing activity of C. pepo L. seeds based on its antioxidant potential in cognitive impairment rat model induced by scopolamine. Materials and Methods: The experimental animals were treated with the ethanolic extract of C. pepo L. seeds (EECPS) (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, p.o.). Piracetam (200 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard drug and given for 14 consecutive days. Cognitive impairment was evaluated by a passive avoidance apparatus and the Morris water maze test. The oxidative parameters in brain of rats were estimated to explore oxidative stress in experimental animals. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance followed by Student's t-test. Results: The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of active ingredients such as terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids in the EECPS. The total phenol content was estimated quantitatively in EECPS and found to be 8.37 +/- 0.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. The EECPS at a dose of 400 mg/kg has depicted a maximum increase in step-down latency and reduction in escape latency on behavioral tests, with decrease in oxidative stress by showing an increase in levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione and subsequently a decrease in the malondialdehyde level. Cholinesterase activity was also found to decrease with 400 and 800 mg/kg EECPS when compared with the scopolamine group. Conclusion: The results of the study clearly suggest that EECPS ameliorated spatial memory impairment induced by scopolamine, which could further attribute to their antioxidant properties.