Biochanin-A (BCA), a potent phytoconstituent, has been previously used as an antitumour, a dopaminergic neuron
protective agent, an
antioxidant, an
anticholinergic and on other pharmacological activities including neuroprotection. The present study was aimed to evaluate the behavioural and neurochemical evidence of BCA in cognitive-deficit mice in
scopolamine challenged and natural aged-induced
amnesia models in young and aged mice, respectively. BCA has exhibited decrease in the transfer latency and increase in step through latency significantly (p < 0.001) in
scopolamine-treated and natural aged mice of exteroceptive behavioural models such as elevated plus maze and passive
shock avoidance paradigm, respectively. A decrease in
acetylcholinesterase activity of whole brain was seen in
scopolamine and aged mice with standard
piracetam (Pira; p < 0.001) and BCA in dose-dependent manner. The
antioxidant property of BCA was proven by increase in GSH (p < 0.01) and decrease in
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level significantly in a
scopolamine-challenged and aged mice. The
scopolamine-treated mice exhibited significant (p < 0.01) increase in the content of noradrenalin and
dopamine, which is a sign of
dementia, and these excess increased
neurotransmitters were reversed by BCA 40 mg kg(-1) (p < 0.05), BCA 20 mg kg(-1) (p > 0.05), BCA 10 mg kg(-1) (p < 0.05) and standard Pira (p < 0.05) when compared with
scopolamine group. Furthermore, in histopathology of hippocampus, the Pira and BCA-treated mice were protected from the formation of pyknotic neurons, increases in the viable cells count and decreases in the number of degenerative cells compared with the
scopolamine group. Hence, BCA could be potential enough for the betterment of
Alzheimer's disease.