Introduction: Crystal meth by induction of free radical formation in brains cells and lipid peroxidation cause to the apoptosis. The aim of present study is to investigate the effect of extract of Scrophularia striataon spatial memory, lipid peroxidation and alteration of antioxidant enzymes levels. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups, including: sham (saline), crystal meth (10, 15 mg/kg), Scrophularia Striate extract (200 mg/kg) and pretreatment of Scrophularia (200 mg/kg) + crystal (10, 15 mg/kg). Induction of addiction was performed by intra peritoneal injection of crystal meth during 5 consecutive days. Morris Water Maze was used for analyzing spatial memory. The levels of oxidative stress enzymes were assayed. Instate 3 was used for data analysis and the statistical test was One- Way ANOVA following by Tukey posthoc test. Results: Crystal meth reduced spatial memory (control: 18/59±6/34, crystal meth (10 mg/kg) 30/34±4/83, crystal meth (15 mg/kg): 59/98±0/77) (p<0.001). Pretreatment of Scrophularia improved the spatial memory (control: 18/59±6/34, Pretreatment of Scrophularia + crystal meth (10 mg/kg): 30/12±2/71, Pretreatment of Scrophularia + crystal meth (15 mg/kg): 50/43±0/51) (P<0.05). MDA, SOD and KAT levels increased in crystal meth group (P<0.05), but pretreatment of Scrophularia reduced the elevated level of MDA, SOD and KAT (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems pretreatment of Scrophularia improve spatial memory which has been reduced by crystal meth.

Methamphetamine has neurotoxic effects on serotonergic, dopaminergic systems. These systems are responsible for learning and memory functions. Also oxidative stress is known to play a prominent role in the neurocognitive deficit, so the aim of present study is evaluates the effect of crystal meth on spatial learning and memory in parallel with oxidative stress parameters. 28 Male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including (I: sham, saline), (II: crystal meth 5 mg/kg), (III: crystal meth 10mg/kg); and (IV: crystal meth 15 mg/kg) (n=7). Characteristics of learning and spatial memory were assessed using Morris Water Maze (MWM). Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were assayed in all groups. Data analysis was performed by using one way ANOVA. Crystal meth reduced spatial memory and this reduction in the dose of 15 mg/kg was very high (p<0.001). The level of malondialdehyde increased in crystal meth 15 mg/kg (P<0.001). Significant elevation in SOD activity was shown in crystal meth 15 mg/kg (P<0.05). The level of CAT showed dose dependently increase in all crystal meth groups (P<0.001). The observations reveal that crystal meth can impaired the spatial memory as well as the disturbances in oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of rats.