Effect of Marshmallow extract on improving passive avoidance memory disorders in male Wistar rats

Alzheimer's disease begins in the Middle Ages, it progresses rapidly and leads to loss of individual mental health. Considering that the neuroprotective effect of Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)has been reported, in this study, the effect of the plant on Alzheimer's rat model and its effect on the improvement of passive avoidance memory was investigated.
Alzheimer's was initially induced by intra-ventricular injection of beta- amyloid peptide. In this experiment, male wistar rats (220-180 g) were used. The control group (no injection), sham group (saline injection), experimental group (injection of beta-amyloid (40-1)) and the groups which received marshmallow extract in 10, 50, 100 and 250 milligrams per kilogram of body weight by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days before and three weeks after beta-amyloid injection. Shuttle box was used to study the learning and memory behavior and H & E and Nissl staining were conducted for histological studies. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software (ANOVA and Tukey tests).
Data showed that treatment with beta-amyloid group at a dose of 100 mg/kg marshmallow extract increased behavioral indices in passive avoidance memory test, compared to sham group(P In this study, likely reducing the complications, caused by the antioxidant properties and the effect of the inhibitory acetylcholinesterase enzyme of the compounds of this plant, such as quercetin, camphorol, tannin, lecithin, pectin, sterol and coumarin, are related.