Objectives:Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats.Methods:Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex.Results:Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01).Conclusion:The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.
BackgroundThe existence of an endocannabinoid system in the central nervous system that consists of G protein-coupled CB1 cannabinoid receptor and endocannabinoids, including arachidonylethanolamide and anandamideand 2-rachidonoylglycerol, has gained general acceptance. Recent reports suggest that this system may serve several physiological functions thus, this research has tried to examine the research is the role of Tetrahyrocannabinol on learning process and spatial memory consolidation.
Materials and methods40 male wistar rats (3-4 month, 320-260 g) were completely divided into 4 experimental groups and control group. Cannabis sativa seed was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus. To test spatial memory, Morris water mazemaze (7 days,4 trails) was used experimental groups with 50 mg.kg -1 , 100 mg.kg -1 , 150 mg.kg -1 , 210 mg.kg -1were injected in the peritoneal (IP) respectively and after one hour of injection spatial memory was done.
ResultsThe results show that experimental groups (50 mg.kg -1 , 100 mg.kg -1 , 150 mg.kg -1 doses), for learning time have significant level deduction in the comparison of controlgroup (p < 0.05), but experimental group with 210 mg.kg -1 dose has not significant level in the comparison of control group (p < 0.05).
ConclusionsThe research findings show that, Cannabinoid components Injected dose dependent, can be effective on memory and learning processes in Morris water maze test.
AcknowledgementsWe thank Dr Heravi and Mr Kazaemi form money support and Azad university of Mashhad, Department of PHysiology from prepare Maze and Materials.
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