Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Murraya koenigii on Learning and Memory in Mice

Abstract

Curry (Muraya koenigii) leaf is an essential leafy spice used widely in cuisine for its distinct flavor and for other medicinal purposes: Analgesic, antidysenteric, antioxidant and in regulating fertility. The Morris water maze was used to study the effects of aqueous extracts of M. koenigii (curry) leaf on learning and memory. Aqueous leaf extracts of M. koenigii (80mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to 7 CD1 strain of mice (18-28 g body weight) while the control group received 0.1 ml/10 kg body weight of distilled water (orally) for 10 days before behavior was assessed. All mice were tested in the Morris water maze for 8 days: At 4 trials per day and 60 seconds per trial. Day 1-3 were for acquisition training, day 4-6 reversal training, day 7, the probe trail and day 8 visible platform task. Results indicate that swim latency were not significantly different between the groups during acquisition and reversal training. The retention quadrant duration was significantly higher for the M. koenigi-treated mice compare to the control (P<0.05). The mice treated with M. koenigi showed a negative weight gain, indicating weight loss (p< 0.05). Therefore the aqueous extracts of M. koenigi improved visuospatial memory in the mice and decreased body weight.