INVESTIGATION OF GLIMEPIRIDE IN STREPTOZOTOCIN AND SCOPOLAMINE INDUCED LEARNING AND MEMORY IMPAIRMENT IN RATS

The present study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Glimepiride in Streptozotocin and Scopolamine induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Rats. Memory enhancing activity of glimepiride in STZ and scopolamine induced learning and memory impairment in rats was investigated by using Morris water maze. SOD, lipid peroxidation, glutathione level of brain homogenate was performed.Rats were randomly assigned to 9 groups (n = 6 each group): (1-5 Groups): control, STZ (60 mg/kg i.p.), insulin (0.5 Units insulin per 100gm body weight), Glimepiride (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days. Again, (6-9 groups): Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p) was administered 30 min before the evaluation of memory impairment for 5 days daily), Rivastigmine (2mg/kg, p.o.) and Glimepiride (1 and 2 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days.Administration of Glimepiride significantly restored learning and memory impairment induced by STZ and scopolamine in the Morris water maze, increased activity of brain antioxidant enzyme such as SOD, glutathione and also reduced the increased activity of lipid peroxidation. The Results concluded that glimepiride has improving effect on learning and memory impairment produced by STZ and scopolamine and it may have beneficial effect in the treatment of dementia. Keyword: Glimepiride, AchE, antioxidant, Alzheimer's disease, Oxidative stress.