Effect of grape seed hydroalcoholic extract on passive avoidance memory in young and aged male mice

Multiple lines of evidence demonstrated that increased brain oxidative stress is an important cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Due to high oxygen consumption, high level of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and low content of natural antioxidants, brain cells are very sensitive to oxidative stress. Also, oxidative stress can damage muscarinic receptors that lead to memory impairment. Several studies have indicted that rich antioxidant regimen can inhibit oxidative stress and its related disorders.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of hydroalcoholic grape seed extract (GSE) on memory of young and aged mice using passive avoidance apparatus. To achieve this objective, 80 male N-MRI mice were divided into eight groups (10 in each group). The first three groups in young (3-4 months) and aged (15 months) received 100, 200, 400 mg/kg IG extract, respectively and two remaining young and aged groups used as control groups which received 10 ml/kg ig. Of distilled water once daily for 30 days consecutively. One day after the last dose administration, passive avoidance test was performed, during consecutive 4 days. On the first day animals were made familiar to instrument. On second day step-down latency was measured. On the third day, after stepping-down, the animals were exposed to electroshock. On the fourth day, memory of step-down latency was measured for each group without any electroshock.The results showed that chronic oral administration of GSE, improves memory in all aged animal groups significantly. Our data suggest because of more oxidative agents are produced in aged brain tissue than young brain may cause neuronal apoptosis and thereby cognition impairment. So, GSE administration in aged subjects can remove oxidative products from their brain and improve memory.