CAJ | 학술논문

Objective:To evaluate thein vivoeffect of14 d repeatedly oral administration ofClinacanthus nutans(C. nutans) methanol leaves extract(250 mg/kg,500 mg/kg and1000 mg/kg bw) on the acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity in maleBalb/C mice.Method:First group was served as control group, orally treated with distilled water as vehicle and group2-4 were orally treated with a single daily dose of250 mg/kg,500 mg/kg and1000 mg/kg bw ofC. nutans extract, respectively for14 d.Each group consisted of six animals(n=6).The activity of acetylcholinesterase in brain, liver, kidney and heart of mice was determined according toEllman method(1961).Results:From the results obtained, theAChE activity was found to be highest in mice liver, followed by brain, kidney and heart.Methanol extract ofC. nutans leaves at250 mg/kg(P<0.001),500 mg/kg(P<0.001) and1000 mg/kg(P<0.001) showed a significant increase in theAChE activity in mice kidney, liver and heart.On the other hand, theAChE activity obtained from the mice brain showed insignificant difference between the control group and treatment group.However, there was no abnormal behavioural change and adverse effect related to the central nervous system observed in all treated mice during14 d experimentation period.Conclusion:In conclusion,14 d oral administration ofC. nutans was able to modulate cholinergic neurotransmission by activating AChE activity in mice kidney, liver and heart.Compounds that responsible for the induction of AChE activity in mice liver, heart and kidney and its mechanism needs to be elucidated.