The Effect of Pumpkin Seed Extract on the Spatial Learning and Memory of Adult Male Rats in Barnes maze

Memory and its role in learning have long been of interest to humans. Therefore, human beings have always sought ways to enhance their memory and reduce its deficit. In the present study, the effect of pumpkin seed extract on memory and learning in adult male rats were studied. The rats (weighing 180-220 g) were divided into 7 groups (n = 8); control, sham (control and sham groups had normal food and water, but a week before the test, the control group received distilled water through oral gavage), and experimental groups. The experimental groups received pumpkin seed extract in doses of 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of body weight daily for 17 days. Training began 12 days after receiving seed extract. The extract was also administered during training. On day 18, probe trial was performed without the administration of the extract. Results showed that, in the groups receiving the extract, spatial memory increased significantly (P < 0.05); this increase, compared to the control and sham groups, was dose dependent. The results indicate that administration of pumpkin seed extract, due to its content of omega fatty acids (oleic acid, linoleic acid) and vitamins D and E, increases spatial memory and learning.