Enhancement in spatial and recognition memory functions following long term oral administration of ginger extract in rats

ABSTRACT

Ginger [Zingiber Officinale] is known over the centuries for its medicinal properties and has been used worldwide as health supplement and for treatment of several diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of whole ginger extract administration on spatial and recognition memory using experimental animal models. The antimicrobial properties of ginger extract against various pathogenic fungal and bacterial species were also examined. Aqueous extract of ginger at a dose of 500 mg/kg was orally administered to test rats and water was orally given to control rats for 6 weeks. Water Maze task [WM] was used to assess spatial memory and recognition memory of rats was evaluated by the Novel Object Recognition [NOR] task. Time spent with novel object was significantly increased in ginger treated rats as compared to control animals in novel object recognition task exhibiting enhanced recognition memory in ginger treated rats. Ginger treated rats exhibited significantly enhanced both short term memory and long term memory as evidenced by decrease in time to reach the hidden platform Ih and 24 h after training as compared to control rats. Short term memory functions of ginger treated rats were more enhanced than long term memory functions. Our findings suggest that ginger consumption may lead to an improvement in spatial and recognition memory. Significant activity of aqueous ginger extract was observed against pathogenic bacteria as well as fungal species. It is therefore suggested in this study that ginger extract can be used in microbial infections and as a memory enhancing drug in various memory disorders