Abstract
Sanguisorba minor (S. minor) has neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. However, its potential benefits in ameliorating learning and memory functions have been explored in no studies up to now. So, in the current study, rats were treated with S. minor hydro-ethanolic extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) as well as rivastigmine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 consecutive days. Thereafter, their behavioral performance was assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tasks. Notably, 30 min before conducting the tasks, scopolamine was injected. Finally, the biochemical assessments were done using the brain tissue. The extract characterization was performed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which confirmed the presence of quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, catechin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid derivatives. In the MWM test, the extract reduced both escape latency and the travelled distance, compared to the scopolamine group. Moreover, in the PA test, the latency to enter the dark chamber significantly increased by the extract, compared to the scopolamine group (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). Notably, the beneficial effects of S. minor on cognitive performance of the scopolamine-treated rats appeared to be similar or even better than rivastigmine in behavior performance. Similar to rivastigmine, it was observed that the extract attenuated both AChE activity and oxidative injury in the brain as evidenced by the increased antioxidant enzymes and total thiol content; however, it decreased malondialdehyde level (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). In conclusion, the results suggested the effectiveness of S. minor in preventing cognitive dysfunction induced by scopolamine. Accordingly, these protective effects might be produced by the regulation of cholinergic activity and oxidative stress. S. minor could be considered as a potential alternative therapy in cognition disorders.
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This paper was financially supported by Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology (grant number 980349), Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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This study was funded by Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with the following grant number: 980349.
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Arezoo Rajabian and Mahmoud Hosseini conducted conception and design of the project. Zeinab Hosseini, Fatemeh Mansouritorghabeh, Faezeh Sadat Hosseini Kakhki, and Arezoo Rajabian performed the experiments. Arezoo Rajabian and Mahmoud Hosseini performed statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript. Hassan Rakhshandeh, Maede Hasanpour, Mehrdad Iranshahi, and Azar Hosseini provided the plant and LC-Ms analysis. All authors contributed to manuscript preparation and approved the submitted version.
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All procedures performed in this study including animals were in accordance with the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and were approved by Ethical Committee of the Animal Research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Ethical code: IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1398.655).
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Zeinab Hosseini and Fatemeh Mansouritorghabeh share the first co-authorship equally.
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Hosseini, Z., Mansouritorghabeh, F., Kakhki, F.S.H. et al. Effect of Sanguisorba minor on scopolamine-induced memory loss in rat: involvement of oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase. Metab Brain Dis 37, 473–488 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-021-00898-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-021-00898-y