The effect of nigella sativa extract on learning and spatial memory of adult male rats
Authors
Abstract
Introduction:
Humans have long noted the importance of memory in learning and have always sought the ways to improve memory and prevent its weaknesses. In the current study, the effect of Nigella sativa extract on learning and memory of adult male rats was investigated.
Materials and Methods:
In the current experimental study, 40 adult male rats weighing 180-220 g were divided into five groups of eight rates including experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, which were given daily doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg per body weight extracts of Nigella sativa for 17 days, control group (0.1 ml normal saline gavage) and negative control group (received no substance). The extract was administered 12 days before training and continued throughout the training. On the eighteenth day of the administration of the extract, the memory test was conducted by Barnes maze and latency to reach the target and the number of errors was measured.
Results:
The results showed that learning and spatial memory in groups that receive Nigella sativa extract significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to the control and negative control groups.
Conclusions:
The results suggest that the administration of Nigella sativa extract can enhance spatial memory and learning due to oleic acid, linoleic acid and antioxidant compounds.
Keywords