Oral Administration of Incense Resin (Styrax benzoin) Extract Enhances Spatial Learning, Memory, and Dendrite Complexity of Mice

Abstract

Hippocampus is a part of the brain that has a major role in spatial learning and memory which can be affected by herbal extracts. Incense resin (Styrax benzoin) has been used by local communities to improve intelligence. However, there is no scientific evidence of the functions of Styrax benzoin for regulating hippocampal function. The aim of this study was intended to analyze and investigate the effect of incense resin on learning, memory, and dendrite complexity of mice. Three months old male Deutch Democratic Yokohama (DDY) mice were injected orally with graded doses of 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg of incense resin aqueous extract daily for 30 days. Spatial learning and memory performance levels were tested with Y-maze alternation, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze. The branches and maximum dendritic span in the dentate gyrus were observed by the Golgi-Cox staining. Overall, our results showed that incense resin extract increased learning and memory ability, and the number of dendrite branching in the dentate gyrus.

Anti-Aging Effects of Terminalia bellirica, Phyllanthus emblica, Triphala, and Carica papaya Extracts for Sustainable Youth

“…When skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, a harmful metabolism is activated in the skin, causing abnormal cross-linking with collagen and elastin, which causes skin tissue damage and skin wrinkles. Thus, substances with activity that can inhibit collagenase and elastase may have a skin wrinkle improvement effect [5].…”