Effect of Fenugreek on Memory and Learning and also Antioxidant Capacity in Hippocampus of Type II Diabetic Rats

Based on the evidences of curing effects of fenugreek on diabetes and its role in strengthening memory and mental health, this study investigated administration of fenugreek extract on learning and memory and also antioxidant level in the hippocampus in type 2 diabetic rats.
In this study, 24 male rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 or control, Group II or diabetic, Group III: diabetic rats treated with 8 gram fenugreek / kg diet, Group IV: diabetic rats treated with 2 gram fenugreek / kg diet. After four weeks, learning and memory were determined using water maze and shuttle box tests. After that, the rats were anesthetised and tissues were removed. Finally, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde were determined in hippocampus.
Findings: Treating diabetic rats with fenugreek extract caused increasing the total antioxidants levels and decreasing the amount of lipid peroxidation in the brain tissue and the dose of 8g/kg was more effective than 2g/kg (pDiscussion & Administration of Fenugreek is effective in the capability of maintaining information in the memory stores and reminding them and also increased antioxidant levels in the diabetic rats and relayed mechanism can be prevention of neural cell destruction in hyppocampus due to antioxidant capacity of this plant.