The effect of simultaneous consumption of Ginkgo extract and Ritalin on the passive avoidance learning in male Wistar Rats

Ginkgo is one of the essential plants for improving memory and preventing age-related or secondary amnesia. Although it has been appeared that Ginkgo alone does not seem to increase memory, it is important to reduce amnesia. Ritalin, On the other hand, is medicine used to treat attention deficit disorder, the abuse of which harms the brain and causes dependency. This study aimed to determine the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on Ritalin-treated rats’ memory.

This experimental study was performed on 36 rats Wistar male rats, divided into 6 groups (n=6). The dosages used for Ritalin were 10mg/kg, and Ginkgo was 90mg/kg, and 40mg/kg. Prescriptions in gavage form administrated in 10 days. The shuttle box was used to measure the amount of avoidance learning. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and SPSS-23 software.

The results revealed that the shuttle box test in the Ginkgo group 90mg/kg outperformed than the control group. The Ginkgo consumer group at the dose of 90mg/kg and plus Ritalin had a significant difference with control (P<0.05).

The findings showed that Ginkgo intake of 90 mg/kg causes elevated levels of step-through latency (STL). Overall, the results of this study indicate a positive effect of Ginkgo dosages alone and with Ritalin on the avoidance learning of Ritalin-treated rats.