Effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa damascena on learning and memory in male rats consuming a high-fat diet |
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Authors: | Arezoo Rezvani-Kamran Iraj Salehi Siamak Shahidi Mohammad Zarei Shirin Moradkhani |
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Affiliation: | 1. Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran;2. Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran |
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Abstract: | Context: High-fat diet (HFD) can cause deficits in learning and memory through oxidative stress and increase Alzheimer disease risk. Rosa damascena Mill. (Rosaceae) extract possesses potent antioxidant properties.Objective: This study investigated the effects of the hydroalcoholic extracts of petals of R. damascena on learning and memory in male rats consuming an HFD.Materials and methods: Forty male Wistar rats (200–250?g) were randomly assigned to four groups: control, R. damascena extract, HFD and HFD?+?extract. The extract (1?g/kg bw daily) was administered by oral gavage for 1?month. Animals were allowed free access to high-fat chow for 3?months. The Morris water maze and the passive avoidance learning tests were used to assess learning and memory.Results: In the passive avoidance learning test, the step-through latencies in the retention test (STLr) of the extract (147.4?±?23.3) and HFD (150.3?±?25.2) groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (270.4?±?10.5) (respectively, p?0.001 and p?0.01). STLr was significantly higher in the HFD?+?extract group (265.3?±?10.6) than in the HFD group (150.3?±?25.2) (p?0.01). Time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) in the HFD?+?extract group (5.3?±?2.6) was significantly lower than that in the HFD group (85.8?±?19.1) (p?0.05).Discussion and conclusion: Our results indicate that, while HFD or R. damascena extract alone leads to memory deficits, R. damascena extract exerted a positive effect on HFD-induced memory deficits. We hypothesize that the observed effects of R. damascena extract are likely due to its strong antioxidant properties. |
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Keywords: | Oxidative stress passive avoidance Morris water maze antioxidant flavonoid lipid profile |
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