Abstract

The effect of equeous extract of Centella asiatica on learning and spatial memory in Alzheimer�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?s disease animal model

Author(s): A.H.Doulah, G.Mahmoodi, M.Purmehdi Borujeni

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Centella asiatica (CeA) onADlike cognitive deficiency in NBM-lesioned rats induced by ibotenic acid. The learning and memory functions were examined by the Morris water maze performance. Twenty fourmaleWistar ratsweighing 380±30 gr at the experiment were used that were divided randomly into three groups (n=8). Control; Lesion and CeA+lesion. NBM was bilaterally lesioned by stereotaxic microinjections of ibotenic acid. The results indicated that the rats with NBM lesioned showed significant reduction in spatial learning and memory in the water maze performance. The aqueous extract of CeA dieting (6 weeks, 100 mg/kg, orally) followed by NBM lesioning in aged rats could be alleviating pre-lesion memory impairment. The percent of time spent in goal quarter was decreased significantly (p<0.01) in lesion group when compared with control group and was also increased significantly (p<0.05) in CeA+Lesion group when compared with lesion group. The present study demonstrated that Centella asiatica extract prevents memory deficits induced with NBM lesion in rats. The finding suggested that the aqueous extract of Centella asiatica had potential uses of the neuroprotective action in NBMlesioned rats induced dementia and an antioxidant mechanism is involved.