In vitro Antioxidant and In vivo Nootropic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Ficus racemosa Against Stress Induced Amnesia in Albino Rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Invitro Antioxidant and neuropharmacological parameters of the Ethanolic leaf extract of Ficus racemosa against stress induced amnesia in Albino rats. Nootropics are agents that enhance the cognitive skills. Learning and memory can be conceived as both a psychological process, as well as a change in synaptic neural connectivity. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using the parameters such as Nitric oxide-scavenging activity, Hydrogen peroxide scavenging and Hydroxyl radical scavenging. Ascorbic acid with same concentration was used as a standard antioxidant. In the present study the extract (150 and 300 mg/kg, p.o) was investigated for Nootropic activity in normal and stress induced rats. Conditioned avoidance response using Cook’s pole climbing apparatus and transfer latency using elevated plus maze were used in normal and stress induced rats to assess cognitive-improving activities. Daily administration of Ficus racemosa at doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg,p.o enhances cognition in dose dependent manner in normal rats. Fast retrieval was observed in extract treated stress induced rats, compared to that of stress control group.The study confirmed the Nootropic (cognition enhancement) activity of extract and the reported activity may be attributed to its antioxidant property