Neurocognitive effects of Prunus domestica fruit extract on scopolamine-induced amnesic mice

Neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease comprises cholinergic neuronal loss with an accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein and oxidative stress. Prunus domestica (Rosaceae) has been implicated to treat inflammation, anxiety, obesity, and neurological diseases. This study was designed to determine the antioxidant potential and neurocognitive effects of P. domestica fruit extract on scopolamine-induced amnesia. Mice were treated with 200 and 400 mg/ kg of ethanolic extract of P. domestica (EEPD) for 15 days and induced with amnesia by scopolamine (1 mg/kg). The total phenolic content and free radical scavenging ability on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid radical scavenging assay indicated the potential ability of the antioxidant system by EEPD. Behavioral and habituation memory was assessed using the Y-maze test, open-field test, and traction test, which revealed the potential impact on neurobehavioral improvement in scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The brain neurotransmitter metabolic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) indicated significant reduction and escalated memory performance after the treatment of EEPD. This implies that the EEPD exhibits a significant ameliorating (p < 0.05 in 200 and p < 0.01 in 400 mg/kg) effect in AChE inhibition on scopolamine-induced amnesia and is proven to have a beneficial effect on treating memory and learning impairment.