Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
1-Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
1-Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2-Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is reported to impair cognition. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Chenopodium botrys, on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, oxidative stress, and memory in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HE in rats.
Materials and Methods: This study involved the random allocation of 40 rats into 5 groups: 1) Control; 2) TAA (300 mg/kg, twice a week, intraperitoneal); 3 and 4) TAA + Extract 12.5 mg/kg and TAA + Extract 25 mg/kg; and 5) TAA + Vitamin (Vit) C 100 mg/kg. The drugs were administered by oral gavage during 28 days. Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) assessments were conducted. Ultimately, AChE activity and oxidative stress status were assessed in the liver, cortex, and hippocampus.
Results: In the PA test, latency to enter the dark part and light spent time increased, whereas dark spent time and number of dark entries decreased in rats receiving the extract and Vit C compared to the TAA group. During the MWM test, the rats treated with extract and Vit C showed a reduced time and distance to reach the platform and spent more time and distance in the target quadrant. Furthermore, the extract and Vit C decreased levels of malondialdehyde and AChE while raising levels of superoxide dismutase and total thiol.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the C. botrys extract and Vit C can significantly enhance memory in a rat model of HE by improving cholinergic dysfunction and reducing oxidative stress.
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