Background and Aim: Chronic restraint stress impairs spatial learning and memory. Myrtle (Myrtus communis) has antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of myrtle hydroalcoholic extract on chronic restraint stress-induced spatial learning and memory deficit in adult male Wistar rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 80 adult male Wistar rats were allocated to eight groups (10 in each) included control group (intact), myrtle0.75, myrtle1.5, myrtle3 groups (were gavaged with hydroalcoholic extract of myrtle at 0.75, 1.5 and 3 mg/ kg bw doses), stress group (restrained in restrainers for 6 hours per day for 21 consecutive days), stress- myrtle0.75, stress-myrtle1.5 and stress- myrtle3 groups (received myrtle extract at 0.75, 1.5 and 3 mg/ kg bw doses and exposed to chronic immobility stress). Spatial learning and memory were examined through the Morris water maze test.
Findings: Chronic immobilization stress caused spatial learning and memory impairment. Consuming doses 1.5 and 3 of Myrtle extract to stressed animals caused significant decrease in spent time and swam distance to reach the hidden platform (p<0.05) and increased time lapsed in target quadrant comparing with stress group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: It has been concluded that myrtle extract can improve spatial learning and memory in rats exposed to stress in a dose dependent manner.
