Effects of sinapic acid on memory retention in adult male Wistar rats

Sinapic acid is a phenylpropanoid compound and is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and is obtained from various sources such as rye, fruits and vegetables. This study concerned effects of sinapic acid on memory retention of passive avoidance learning in adult male Wistar rats. In this experimental study, 64 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 8 groups. Control animals were intact. Sham group received vehicle of sinapic acid (Tween 80, 10%). The experimental rats administrated with sinapic acid at doses 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/rat; respectively. Sinapic acid and Tween 80 were injected intracerebroventricular and post training. Twenty-four hours after training, memory retention was evaluated with passive avoidance learning. The step through latency and time in dark compartment was measured. The data were expressed as mean values ± SEM and tested, using analysis of one-way ANOVA test. Our results showed that post-training administration of sinapic acid at doses 0.05, 0.1, 1, 10 and 10 μg/rat increased significantly the time of step-through latency and decreased significantly the time of dark compartment as compared to sham group (p<0.05). Sinapic acid potentiated significantly memory retention process.