Hedychium spicatum:Evaluation of its Nootropic Effect in Mice

Alzheimer disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognition. To improve memory nootropic agents like donepezil, piracetam are generally used. Due to side effects of such drugs their uses are limited. Hedychium spicatum commonly known as Kapurkachri, is traditionally claimed and being used in Indian subcontinent for its nootropic potential. In the present work H. spicatum was investigated for its pharmacological effect on central nervous system. The elevated plus maze and double unit mirrored chamber test were employed to assess the nootropic potential of n-butanol fraction (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening along with HPTLC studies confirmed the presence of saponin. Hence, H. spicatum might prove to be a useful as a memory restorative agent in the treatment of dementia seen in the Alzheimer's disease.