Memory enhancing activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra in mice

被引:167
作者
Dhingra, D
Parle, M [1 ]
Kulkarni, SK
机构
[1] Guru Jambheshwar Univ, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Div Pharmacol, POB 38, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
[2] Panjab Univ, Univ Inst Pharmaceut Sci, Div Pharmacol, Chandigarh 160014, India
关键词
liquorice; amnesia; learning; memory;
D O I
10.1016/j.jep.2004.01.016
中图分类号
Q94 [植物学];
学科分类号
071001 ;
摘要
In the traditional system of medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza glabra (family: Leguminosae) have been employed clinically for centuries for their anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, expectorant, antimicrobial and anxiolytic activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (popularly known as liquorice) on learning and memory in mice. Elevated plus-maze and passive avoidance paradigm were employed to test learning and memory. Three closes (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra were administered for 7 successive days in separate groups of animals. The dose of 150 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of liquorice significantly improved learning and memory of mice. Furthermore, this dose significantly reversed the amnesia induced by diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.) and scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg i.p.). Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of liquorice may be contributing favorably to the memory enhancement effect. Since scopolamine-induced amnesia was reversed by liquorice, it is possible that the beneficial effect on learning and memory was due to facilitation of cholinergic-transmission in mouse brain. However, further studies are necessitated to identify the exact mechanism of action. In the present investigation, Glycyrrhiza glabra has shown promise as a memory enhancing agent in all the laboratory models employed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:361 / 365
页数:5
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