Effect of Vitis vinifera on Memory and Behaviour Mediated by Monoamines

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Vitis vinifera (VVE) and methanolic fraction (MF) of methanolic extract on memory and behaviour mediated by monoamines. Methods: The effect of VVE and MF on memory was studied using Passive shock avoidance paradigm, Elevated plus maze (EPM) paradigm and Object recognition test. The effect of extract on clonidine induced hypothermia, lithium induced head twitches, haloperidol induced catalepsy and sodium nitrite induced hypoxia was observed to study the behaviour mediated by noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine and Acetylcholine respectively. Scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg) was used to induce cognitive dysfunction. Piracetam (100 mg/kg) served as a standard nootropic drug. Results: Methanolic fraction (MF) of extract significantly (P<0.05) reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The VVE and MF exhibited significant (P<0.05) nootropic activity in all three models of memory. VVE and MF decreased lithium induced head twitches, modified haloperidol induced catalepsy and decreased percentage mortality induced by sodium nitrite. However, clonidine induced hypothermia was not modified. Conclusion: Thus, the raisins of Vitis vinifera contain bio-active principle(s) which possess prominent nootropic activity. It also modified 5-HT, DA and Ach mediated behaviour.