EFFECT OF Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) EXTRACT ON MEMORY AND

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Stevia rebaudiana in age related cognition in old and young rats. Stevia rebaudiana extract (50, 100, 200mg/kg) was administered orally in old and young rats for sixteen days and were evaluated on Morris water maze, elevated plus maze and change in cholinesterase activity. Mean escape latency time (ELT) calculated each day during acquisition trial was used as an index of acquisition and mean time spent in target quadrant in search of missing platform provided an index of retrieval. Significant reduction in transfer latency (TL) value of retention indicated the improvement of memory. Significant memory enhancing and cholinesterase effect of aqueous extract Stevia rebaudiana was observed in aged rats at 200 mg/kg p.o. dose.