Planta Med 2011; 77(8): 830-834
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250605
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Clove Oil Reverses Learning and Memory Deficits in Scopolamine-Treated Mice

Sumita Halder1 , Ashish Krishan Mehta2 , Rajarshi Kar3 , Mohammad Mustafa3 , Pramod Kumari Mediratta1 , Krishna Kishore Sharma1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
  • 2Department of Physiology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
  • 3Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
Further Information

Publication History

received June 8, 2010 revised Nov. 10, 2010

accepted Nov. 15, 2010

Publication Date:
14 December 2010 (online)

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Abstract

The present study was performed to examine the effect of Eugenia caryophyllata (Myrtaceae) on learning and memory, and also evaluate whether it can modulate oxidative stress in mice. Passive avoidance step-down task and elevated plus-maze were used to assess learning and memory in scopolamine-treated mice. Oxidative stress parameters were also assessed in brain samples by estimating the malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels at the end of the study. Scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg, i. p.) produced impairment of acquisition memory as evidenced by a decrease in step-down latency and an increase in transfer latency on day 1, and also impairment of retention of memory on day 2. Pretreatment with clove oil (0.05 mL/kg and 0.1 mL/kg) for 3 weeks significantly reversed the increase in acquisition latency and all the doses (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mL/kg, i. p.) reversed the increase in retention latency induced by scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg, i. p.) in elevated plus-maze. However, 0.05 mL/kg clove oil attenuated memory deficits in the passive avoidance step-down task. Brain samples showed a significant decrease in MDA levels in the group treated with clove oil (0.05 and 0.025 mL/kg). GSH levels were also increased in clove oil-treated mice though the results were not significant. Thus, it can be concluded that clove oil can reverse the short-term and long-term memory deficits induced by scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg, i. p.) and this effect can, to some extent, be attributed to decreased oxidative stress.

References

Prof. Pramod Kumari Mediratta

Department of Pharmacology
University College of Medical Sciences (University of Delhi)

Dilshad Garden

Delhi 110095

India

Phone: +91 98 10 52 48 79

Fax: +91 11 22 59 04 95

Email: drpramod_k@yahoo.com