Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents and Hydro Alcoholic Extract of Polygonum aviculare L. Effects on Learning and Memory in a rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

2 Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran

3 Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease via various pathways, including augmented oxidative stress accompanies disturbances in learning, memory and cognitive skills in the human society. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Polygonum aviculare (P. aviculare) on learning and memory in streptozotocin induced Alzheimer in rats. Aerial parts of P.aviculare extracted by percolation method. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured by colorimetric method. Fifty male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, Alzheimer's group, and three groups Alzheimer's induced and P. aviculare treated. In order to evaluate of learning and memory, initial (IL) and step-through latencies (STL) tests were determined at the end of study using passive avoidance test and alternation behavior percentage was obtained using Y maze. Total phenolic contents of extract were 67.7 ± 6.3 mg/g and the total flavonoid content was 12.7 ± 1.3 mg/g. In behaviors test, there was no significant change in IL in Alzheimer's and P. aviculare treated Alzheimer's group as compared to control group. Meanwhile, STL significantly decreased in Alzheimer's group as compared to control group (p<0.005). The existing difference between Alzheimer's and P. aviculare Treated-Alzheimer's groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). Intraperitoneal injection of P. aviculare could enhance the capability of consolidation and recall in Alzheimer's animals treated, and improve spatial memory in Alzheimer's animals treated group using Y maze.

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