Effect of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger Rhizomes) Hydroethanolic Extract on Hyoscine-Induced Memory Impairment in Adult Male Rats

The spice Zingiber officinale or ginger possesses antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects. In this study we hypothesized that treatment with hydroethanolic extract of ginger (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) would effect on the hyoscine-induced memory impairment in rats. In this experimental study 64 male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups (rats in each group): normal saline, hyoscine (1 mg/kg), ginger extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), or hyoscine (1 mg/kg) plus ginger extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg). Memory impairment was induced by a single injection of hyoscine (1 mg/kg, i.p). Cognitive functions were evaluated using passive avoidance learning (PAL) task. Retention test was carried out 24 h after training, and the latency of entering the dark compartment [step-through latency (STL)] and the total time in the dark compartment (TDC) were recorded. All statistical analysis was carried out at 5% level of significance using SPSS version 21. The data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. The time latency in hyoscine-treated group was lower than control 133.87±14.60 vs. 242.12±10.58; p<0.001, respectively). Treatment of the animals by 100 and 200 mg/kg of ginger extract before the training trial increased the time latency at 24 h after the training trial (277±4.67 and 280.37±7.68; p<0.01, respectively). Administration of both 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of the extract in hyoscine received animal groups before retention trials also increased the time latency than the hyoscine-treated groups (247.37±7.62 and 271.87±9.11; p 0.001, respectively). The results revealed that the ginger hydroethanolic extract attenuated hyoscineinduced memory impairment.