Informatics Publishing Limited

Milind Parle ¹, Renu Kadian ²

Affiliations
1 Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Momordica charantia commonly known as bitter gourd in English and Karela in Hindi is widely used as a vegetable throughout the World. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Momordica charantia fruit (MCF) on memory, total cholesterol levels, glucose levels and brain cholinesterase activity in mice. A total of 336 mice divided in 56 different groups were employed in the present investigation. Different groups of young and aged mice were fed orally with a specially prepared diet containing various concentrations of Momordica charantia (5, 10, 20%w/w) for 30 days consecutively. The memory of these animals was measured using various exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models. MCF produced a dose-dependent improvement in memory scores of young and aged mice. MCF also reversed successfully the amnesia induced by scopolamine and diazepam. Interestingly, brain cholinesterase activity, blood glucose and total cholesterol levels were reduced by MCF administered in daily diets. The underlying mechanism of action for the observed memory-enhancing effect of MCF may be attributed to its acetyl cholinesterase inhibitory activity, hypoglycemic activity and/or cholesterol lowering property. Thus eating of bitter gourd on regular basis through daily diets would help in protecting us from developing dementia.

Keywords

Momordica charantia, Amnesia, Memory, Hypoglycemia.

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Milind Parle ¹, Renu Kadian ¹, Suman Malik ¹

Affiliations
1 Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder affecting about 1% of the world population. People with Schizophrenia may hear voices, which other people don't hear. Furthermore, schizophrenic patients believe that others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts or plotting to harm them. These experiences are terrifying and can cause terror, social withdrawal or extreme aggressiveness. The schizophrenics often make senseless and incoherent conversation. Schizophrenia can be diagnosed by the presence of atleast one of the positive symptoms together with any of the negative symptoms. This article covers historical, causes, prevalence, clinical signs and notable victims affected by Schizophrenia in different parts of the world.

Keywords

Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Alogia, Delusion.

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