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Gugulipid, an extract of Commiphora whighitii with lipid-lowering properties, has protective effects against streptozotocin-induced memory deficits in mice.

Abstract
Gugulipid, an ethyl acetate extract of the resin of plant Commiphora whighitii is an established hypolipidemic agent in clinical practice. The major constituent of gugulipid is guggulsterone [4, 17 (20)-pregnadiene-3, 16-dione]. It has been observed recently that patients receiving lipid-lowering drugs like statins have a reduced risk of dementia. Therefore, the present study was planned to explore the potential of gugulipid as cognitive enhancer. Gugulipid (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) showed dose dependent improvement in scopolamine-induced deficits in passive avoidance test. The maximal effective dose of gugulipid i.e. 50 mg/kg, p.o. was used for further studies on streptozotocin (STZ) model of dementia in mice. Gugulipid was investigated for its effect on learning and memory, parameters of oxidative stress (GSH and MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the STZ (ic)-treated mice. Intracerebral (ic) injections of STZ (0.5 mg/kg) on 1st and 3rd day caused significant deficit in memory in passive avoidance and Morris water maze test after the 14th day of first dose. In passive avoidance, transfer latency time (TLT) was not increased on retention trials in STZ (ic) group while gugulipid treatment resulted in significant increase in TLT on retention trials in STZ (ic)-treated mice. In Morris water maze test the latency time to reach platform in STZ (ic)-treated mice was significantly higher than control and vehicle (artificial CSF). Pre-treatment of gugulipid (50 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 14 days started with the first dose of STZ (ic), significantly prevented STZ (ic)-induced memory deficit. Post-treatment i.e. after 14 days of first dose of STZ (ic) of gugulipid (50 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly decreased the latency time indicating anti-dementia activity. Effect of gugulipid and STZ in visible platform test was similar to those seen with hidden platform. Gugulipid and STZ-treated mice did not cause significant change in locomotor activity. Furthermore, STZ (ic) resulted into increase in AChE activity, low level of GSH and high concentration of MDA in brain on 21st day as compared to control. Gugulipid treatment caused significant decrease in AChE activity, low level of MDA and high concentration of GSH in brain following STZ (ic) as compared to vehicle administration in STZ (ic)-treated mice. The study demonstrated that gugulipid has significant protective affect against streptozotocin-induced memory deficits model of dementia that can be attributed to anti-oxidant and anti-AChE activity of gugulipid. These observations suggest gugulipid as a potential anti-dementia drug (CDRI, Lucknow has obtained US patent No. 6896901 for use of gugulipid as cognitive enhancer).
AuthorsGunjan Saxena, Sheelendra Pratap Singh, Raghvendra Pal, Stayawan Singh, Ram Pratap, Chandishwar Nath
JournalPharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav) Vol. 86 Issue 4 Pg. 797-805 (Apr 2007) ISSN: 0091-3057 [Print] United States
PMID17477963 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Nootropic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Gums
  • guggulu extract
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Streptozocin
  • Scopolamine
  • Acetylcholinesterase
  • Glutathione
Topics
  • Acetylcholinesterase (metabolism)
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning (drug effects)
  • Brain (drug effects, metabolism)
  • Commiphora
  • Dementia (prevention & control)
  • Glutathione (metabolism)
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
  • Maze Learning (drug effects)
  • Memory (drug effects)
  • Memory Disorders (chemically induced, prevention & control)
  • Mice
  • Nootropic Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
  • Plant Extracts (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Plant Gums (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Scopolamine (toxicity)
  • Streptozocin (administration & dosage, toxicity)

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