In this study, the effect of Rosmarinus officinalis aerial parts essential oil was studied on intact memory and scopolamine-induced learning deficits in rats performing the Morris water maze task. The oil was injected intraperitoneally to rats 0.5 h before training for 5 consecutive days. During the training period, four trials were carried out each day. on the 5th day of the experiment, the locomotor activity was assesed using open field test. The oil at the doses of 125-250 mg/kg decreased the latency time to find the platform. The effect of the oil was also evaluated on hyoscine (0.5 mg/kg)-induced learning deficits in rats. The oil reduced the effect of hyoscine on memory. In the open field activity test, the oil at the doses 125-250 mg/kg did not change locomotor activity. The higher dose of rosemary (500 mg/kg) reduced the factors of open field test. The co-administration of oil with hyocine significantly compensated the reduction of locomotor activity in hyosine group alone. On the basis of these results, the R. officinalis aerial parts essential oil improved intact memory and the hyoscine impaired acquisition/performance activity. These agents can potentially be introduced as new drugs in the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The electrophysiological and behavioral studies have shown that saffron extract improves memory and learning skills in ethanol-induced learning behavior impairments. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of Crocus sativus aqueous extract stigma and its constituents, safranal and crocin, on intact memory and scopolamine-induced learning deficits in rats performing the Morris water maze task. Method: The extract and its constituents were injected intraperitoneally to rats one h before training for five consecutive days. During the training period, four trials were carried out each day. On the fifth day of the experiment, the locomotor activity was assessed using open field test. Results: Generally, the aqueous extract (0.0025-0.56 g/kg) of stigma did not decrease the latency time to find the platform. Only a dose of 0.005 g/kg reduced the latency time during five days. Crocin (50 and 200 mg/kg) also did not change the latency time. Safranal (0.2-0.75 ml/kg) increased the time to find the platform. The effects of the extract, crocin and safranal on hyoscine-induced learning deficits were also evaluated (1 and 500 mg/kg hyoscine). The stigma extract and crocin reduced the deficit effect of hyoscine (in low and high dose) on memory. Safranal (except a dose of 0.2 ml/kg) did not decrease the effect of hyoscine on memory. In the open field activity test, the aqueous extract, crocin and safranal reduced total activity. The co-administration of these agents with hyocine significantly compensated the reduction of locomotor activity in hyosine group alone. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, the Crocus sativus stigma aqueous extract, crocin and safranal did not have effect on intact memory but the extract and crocin inhibited the hyoscine impaired acquisition/performance activity. These agents can be potentially introduced as new drugs in the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (especially type I) is accompanied with disturbances in learning, memory, and cognitive skills in the human society and experimental animals. Objective: Considering the beneficial effect of Apium graveolens (AG) on lipid peroxidation in hyperlipidemia and on serum lipids in diabetes mellitus, this research study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chronic oral administration of AG on learning and memory in diabetic rats using passive avoidance test. Method: For this purpose, male Wistar diabetic rats were randomly divided into control, AG-treated control, diabetic, and AG-treated diabetic groups. AG treatment (at a weight ratio of 1/15 mixed with rat chow) continued for 6 weeks. For induction of diabetes, streptozotocin was injected i.p. at a single dose of 60 mg/kg. For evaluation of learning and memory, initial latency (IL) and step-through latency (STL) were determined at the end of study using passive avoidance test. Meanwhile, alternation behavior percentage was determined using Y maze. Results: There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in IL in diabetic and AG-treated diabetic groups after 6 weeks as compared to control group. In this respect, there was no significant difference between diabetic and AG-treated diabetic groups. On the other hand, STL significantly decreased (p<0.05) in diabetic group and significantly increased (p<0.05) in AG-treated diabetic group as compared to control group at the end of study. In addition, STL did not significantly change in AG-treated control group in comparison with control group. Results of Y-maze showed that alternation was significantly higher (p<0.05) in AG-treated diabetic rats relative to untreated diabetic ones and AG treatment did not have any significant effect in control group. Conclusion: Chronic oral administration of AG could enhance the consolidation and recall capability of stored information and improve spatial memory in diabetic animals.

Background: Learning and memory impairment during aging mind have a disturbance role in human life. Regarding to the defect mechanisms for prevention or treatment of memory loss, the new strategies were recommended for study on it. Objective: Importance of herbal medicine treatment encouraged us to examine the effect of a candidate plant Acorus calamus for improvement of learning and memory. Methods: Male rats were randomly divided to control and treatment groups. In treatment group the plant were applied to animals in oral (plant/ food ratio = % 6.25) for two weeks and in injected groups the plant extract were applied (i.p) to rat in 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Finally, all experimental animal groups were conducted to Y maze and shuttle box tests in order to obtain spatial recognition and acquisition – recalling data, respectively. Results: The step through latency (STL) time resulted from oral and 100 mg/kg injected dose groups show a significant difference with control animals. Also, alternation behavior (%) obtained from Y maze test data was marked than control rats. Conclusion: The present study show that oral and intraperitoneal administration of the extract in higher dose could have increase spatial recognition and recalling the data,

Background: In traditional medicine, a gum resin obtained from Boswellia carterii, has been used as an agent for enhancing memory and learning abilities. Objective: In the present research, the effect of fractions obtained from gum resin of Boswellia carterii was assessed on enhancement of memory in intact and on memory impairments induced in rats by hyoscine using the Morris water maze task. Methods: The ethyl acetate (0.1 mg/kg) and N-butanol (0.1 mg/kg) fractions were injected intraperitoneally to rats 1 h before training for 5 consecutive days. During the training period, four trials were carried out each day. On the 5th day of the experiment, the locomotor activity was assessed using open field test. The effect of ethyl acetate fractions was evaluated on memory impairment induced by hyoscine (0.5 mg/kg). Results: The ethyl acetate (0.1 mg/kg) and N-butanol (0.1 mg/kg) fractions showed significant effects in enhancing the memory ability in intact rats. This effect was much significant with ethyl acetate fraction (p<0.001). The ethyl acetate (0.1 mg/kg) fraction reduced the deficit effect of hyoscine on memory (p<0.001). The N-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions (0.1 g/kg) have no effect on locomotor activity. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, B. carterii gum resin improved intact memory and the hyoscine impaired acquisition/performance activity. This effect may be mediated via cholinergic system.

Background: Glycyrrhiza glabra contain antioxidant and phytoestrogens with cell protective properties. Objective: So its consumption during pregnancy may be effective on the mental features of who birthed. We evaluate the effect of glycyrrhiza glabra consumption during pregnancy on memory retrieval of the second generated mice. Methods: We used 15 females and 6 male mice (NMRI) with 20-30 gr weight. Pregnancy confirmed after coupling with vaginal plaque formation .Then the mice were singly caged and randomly assigned to 3 equal groups: Control, sham (solvent gavage) and treatment group (aqueous extract of glycyrrhiza root with 150 mg oral daily treatment from 3 until 19 day of gestation). Two mounts after birthing, the offspring’s were randomly assigned to 2 male and female groups and introduced to the memory retrieval test with using the shuttle box. The data were analyzed statistically by using ANOVA and Tukey test by using SPSS software. Results: The delay time for entering on the dark room were increased in male mice that exposed to extracts of glycyrrhiza during pregnancy in comparison to control group and it was significant in the period 1 and 2 weeks after training (p <0.05). The Latency for entering on the dark chamber was increased on the female animals that exposed with extract during pregnancy in comparison of the control group. This difference was significant in periods of 24 hours and 2 weeks after training (p <0.01, p <0.05). Conclusion: The prenatal consumptions of aqueous extract of the glycyrrhiza can increase memory retrieval of both sexes.

Background: In traditional medicine “Crataegus melano carpa” is one of the medicinal plants that has many therapeutic effects. One of them is its effect on nerveous system.
Objective: Evaluation of Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves on fear behavior in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat.
Methods: Animals were divided into 3 groups: experimental, saline and, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 20 mg/kg as positive control (I.P). In the experimental group, the animals received 4000 µg/Rat alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves (ICV) and PTZ (I.P). Then plus maze was used for evaluation of the fear. Open arm entries percentage (%OAE) and open arm time percentage (%OAT) were evaluated.
Results: The results show that intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of alcoholic extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” leaves increased %OAE and %OAT significantly (p<0.05).
Conclusion: We concluded that alcoholix extract of “Crataegus melano carpa” is effective on fear reduction in presence pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rat.

Background: Brain ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and physical disability worldwide. Flavonoids found in Raspberry fruit (RF) play an important role against oxidative stress injuries in the biological systems.
Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of RF on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced brain injury in rats.
Methods: In the present experimental study, 42 wistar adult male rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into six groups as sham operated (Sh), ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) received normal saline (I+Veh), I/R groups treated with RF extract (I+RF, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, IP, respectively). The global cerebral I/R was induced by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries for 30 min, followed by reperfusion. Behavioral test performed with shuttle box and analgesia test performed with tail flick test.
Results: Administration of RF extract 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg doses increased passive avoidance memory significantly (P<0.05). In addition, RF extract delayed the emergence of painful reflux in tail flick test significantly (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Results of this study showed that RF extract possesses protective effects against pain and memory deficits induced by I/R, which may be due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.