Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Scrophularia Striata on Improving Spatial Memory in the Model of Crystal Meth Addiction in Male Rats

Abstract

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.

Therapeutic effects of saffron and its components on neurodegenerative diseases

“…Purushothuman et al showed the neuroprotective effects of saffron on dopaminergic HeLa cells in rats and confirmed the relationship between the interactions of dopaminergic and cholinergic systems [ 60 ]. Hatami et al investigated the improvement of spatial memory by saffron extract in Parkinsonian rats and showed that pretreatment with saffron extract in PD rats led to a significant improvement in spatial memory [ 61 ]. Pan et al demonstrated the protective effects of saffron on primary dopaminergic cells against cell death by promoting cytoprotective responses to oxidative stress through the increased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), as a regulator of cellular resistance to oxidants, in rotenone-induced PD models [ 62 ].…”

Saffron, a Potential Bridge between Nutrition and Disease Therapeutics: Global Health Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities

“…Experiments demonstrated neuroprotective effects of crocin in PD-induced mouse models by decreasing oxidative stress [ 83 ]. In PD rat models, improved spatial memory was observed upon treatment with saffron extracts [ 141 ]. The saffron extracts were reported to enhance the cellular expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), mediating resistance to oxidative stress in rotenone-induced PD models [ 142 ].…”