Effect of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) extract on chronic restraint stress-induced memory deficit and anxiety in male rats

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiapoptotic and neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of spinach hydroalcoholic extract on chronic restraint stress-induced spatial learning and memory deficit and anxiety in adult male rats.
60 adult male Wistar rats were allocated to six groups: Control group, Spinach200 and Spinach400 groups (were gavaged with hydroalcoholic extract of spinach at 200, 400 mg/ kg/bw doses), Stress group (restrained in restrainers for 6hours per day for 21 consecutive days), Stress-Spinach200 and Stress-Spinach400 groups (received spinach extract in addition to chronic immobility stress). Spatial learning and memory and anxiety were examined through the Morris water maze (MWM) test and elevated plus maze (EPM) respectively.
Chronic immobilization stress caused spatial learning and memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior. Escape latency and distance moved to reach the hidden platform had dramatic decrease in Stress-Spinach groups compare with Stress group (p It has been concluded that due to rich antioxidant amount in spinach ethanol extract, it can improve spatial learning and memory and reduce anxiety in restraint stress exposed rats.