Abstract
Background and aims: The spice Zingiber officinale or ginger possesses antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects. In this study we hypothesized that treatment with hydroethanolic extract of ginger (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) would effect on the scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 64 male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups (8 rats in each group): normal saline, scopolamine (1 mg/kg), ginger extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), or scopolamine (1 mg/kg) plus ginger extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg). Memory impairment was induced by a single injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p). Cognitive functions were evaluated using passive avoidance learning (PAL) task. Retention test was carried out 24 h after training, and the latency of entering the dark compartment [step-through latency (STL)] and the total time in the dark compartment (TDC) were recorded. All statistical analysis was carried out at 5% level of significance using SPSS version 21. The data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test.
Results: The time latency in scopolamine-treated group was lower than control (P<0.001). Treatment of the animals by 100 and 200 mg/kg of ginger extract before the training trial increased the time latency at 24 h after the training trial (P<0.01). Administration of both 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of the extract in scopolamine received animal groups before retention trials also increased the time latency than the scopolamine-treated groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results revealed that the ginger hydroethanolic extract attenuated scopolamine-induced memory impairment.