ABSTRACT

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate neuroprotective efficacy of swarna bhasma on cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation in rats. Radial arm maze and elevated plus maze methods were used for behavioural testing in rats. The male albino rats were divided into five experimental groups as normal, sleep deprived control, galantamine and two test groups of swarna bhasma. All the animals except normal were kept on daily 8 to 9 hrs sleep restriction for the induction of cognitive impairment. The cognitive performances were checked on the 7th, 14th and 20th day. Treatment with Swarna bhasma reversed the performances by improved spatial memory, increased correct arm entries, decreased number of errors, time to complete task and decreased in transfer latency. Estimation of biochemical parameters in blood plasma of treated groups with Swarna bhasma showed to be more potent antioxidant and reverts the sleep deprived induced cognitive deficits in rats.