Evaluation of Armodafinil’s Anti-amnestic Activity in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Wistar rats

Background: Amnesia is the loss of memory that majorly affects middle-aged to older people with a prevalence (1.0 - 2.6%) of the overall population. Studies reported that scopolamine induction results in memory dysfunctions observed in demented patients. The current study evaluated the therapeutic potentials of armodafinil and its beneficial role in dementia, learning, and memory impairment. Armodafinil is the (-)-R enantiomer of modafinil. It is a nootropic used for the treatment of narcolepsy and the reversal of anesthetic effects. It binds to and thereafter inhibits the dopamine-reuptake pump, enhancing the concentration of dopamine in the synaptic gaps. Materials and Methods: 30 albino Wistar rats (250-300g) were included in the study, and they were randomly divided into five groups of six rats each (n = 6), two of which worked as controls: a control negative group and a control positive group. Scopolamine (3 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneal to the control positive group on the 16th day after receiving 200mg/ kg of Brahmi extract orally daily for 15 days. Armodafinil (15&30mg/kg) was given orally to the test groups for 15 days, and scopolamine (3mg/kg) was administered on the 16th day. The behavioral measurements were performed at the end of the 16th day, after which the animals were euthanized and brains were retrieved for biochemical assessments. Results: In the present study, armodafinil groups showed a significant increase in the % alterations in Y-maze, time spent in Morris water maze, motor activity on the spinning rod, and the response of steps climbed in the staircase test, and also substantial variation in levels of antioxidants and neurotransmitters in drug-treated groups were found. Both behavioral and biochemical analyses indicated the neuroprotective effects of armodafinil in memory dysfunction and are appreciated as a potential therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease (PD). Conclusion: From the study armodafinil-treated groups showed retrieval of memory when compared to control negative (scopolamine-treated) group which showed heavy alteration in memory. The current study explored the neurobehavioral and memory-enhancing effects of armodafinil in scopolamine-induced amnesia which can be an essential tool to current clinical approaches toward neuroprotection.