Effect of Berberis vulgaris extract on Passive Avoidance learning and memory in rat model of streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible brain disturbing disorder and is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Since many drug treatments have been introduced for AD, despite the change many have failed; therefore in this research, effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit aqueous extract on memory consolidation stage in Wistar male rats with Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD was studied.

For this purpose, a total of 30 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6); Intact groups; Saline control groups (received saline via intraperitoneal (IP) injection); Saline control+Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) groups (received saline via IP route and received CSF via Intracerebroventricular (ICV) route (unilateral, right ventricle)); Saline+STZ groups (received saline via IProute and received STZ with a dose 1.5mg/Kg (to create Alzheimer model in the first and third days after canulation) via ICV route); Berberis vulgaris extract+STZ groups (received Berberis vulgaris extract with dose of 10mg/Kg via ip route and received STZ via ICV route). Injection for 4 days, was done After teaching passive avoidance learning by the shuttle box and On the fifth day, the day of the test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and one way ANOVA and T-Student test method.

on the test day, step through latency (STL), and total time in dark compartment (TDC) and total time in light compartment (TLC) Was considered as a measure of passive avoidance learning. The aqueous extract of barberry fruit in the rats receiving STZ was significantly increased in STL (P<0.01) and TLC (P<0.05), also significant decrease in TDC (P<0.05) Compared with groups receiving the saline+STZ.

This research showed, 10mg/kg doses of aqueous extract of Berberis vulgaris caused improvement of learning in animals with Alzheimer (recipient of STZ) which is probably due to antioxidant property, flavonoids, vitamin C and … in Berberis vulgaris that inhibit some of the factors causing of AD.