The effect of Lavandula officinalis aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract on rat passive avoidance behavior and spatial memory

Memory naturally degrades with the passing of time. Dementia or deficit of memory caused by Alzheimer’s disease, aging and other risk factors, greatly affects one’s day-to-day life. Lavandula officinalis is an effective medicinal plant in treating inflammation, epilepsy, depression and anxiety. Also, recently have been submitted reports about the effects of lavender on memory improvement. However, the effect of aerial part hydro-alcoholic extract of Lavandula officinalis has not been studied on passive avoidance and spatial memory in rats with healthy memory. In this study, 40 male NMRI rats weighing 200-250 g were used. Animals were divided into four groups (n=10 each). Control group (group 1) received normal saline, daily, for 9-11 continuous days; groups 2, 3 and 4 received Lavandula officinalis aerial part hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p), daily, for 9-11 continuous days 60 min before the behavioral testing. Passive avoidance and spatial memory was tested by shuttle box and Y maze, respectively. Chronic administration of the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly enhanced spatial memory in Y maze and also passive avoidance memory in shuttle box. Repeated consumption of Lavandula officinalis (400 mg/kg) in rats with healthy memory may cause memory potentiation.