ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of the natural antioxidant anthocyanins on learning and memory of rats in experimental model of oxidative stress. Our preliminary experiments demonstrated that disruption of diurnal rhythm via exposition of rats to constant light for 14 days caused excessive generation of free radicals in their brains. It is known that free radicals impair cognitive functions. This study investigated the effects of anthocyanins on cognitive functions of rats in a shuttle-box active avoidance test. In the shuttle-box, stressed rats showed significantly increased latency time and decreased number of avoidances and escapes in the learning sessions. Rats treated with anthocyanins had increased number of avoidances and escapes and significantly decreased latency time during the learning sessions. Our results demonstrated that this model of oxidative stress impaired learning and memory of experimental rats. Moreover, chronic administration of anthocyanins (200 mg/kg orally) improved brain functions of the rats. Our data suggest that anthocyanins have a protective role on rat brain and improve cognitive functions in this model of oxidative stress.
Subject(s)
Anthocyanins/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Avoidance Learning/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Brain/pathology , Circadian Rhythm , Cognition Disorders/drug therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Free Radicals/metabolism , Male , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Estrogen deficit is associated with mental health disorders, emotional difficulties, memory impairment, and other cognitive failures. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to bioflavonoids and their properties as phytoestrogens to alleviate symptoms related to estrogen deficit. Anthocyanins are antioxidant flavonoids with various physiological activities. We have previously shown that anthocyanins inhibited depression-like symptoms in ovariectomized rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanins on learning and memory of ovariectomized rats in a shuttle-box active avoidance test. METHODS: Female Wistar rats (250-280 g) were housed in three groups: group 1, control, nonovariectomized rats; group 2, ovariectomized rats; and group 3, ovariectomized rats, treated with anthocyanins (200 mg/kg PO) for 15 days after ovariectomy. On the 25th day after ovariectomy, an active avoidance shuttle-box test was performed. RESULTS: In the shuttle-box test, ovariectomized rats showed significantly increased latency time and total errors and decreased number of avoidances in the learning sessions. The group of ovariectomized rats treated with anthocyanins had considerably increased number of avoidances and significantly decreased latency time and total errors during the learning sessions. In memory retention tests, significant differences were observed between control, ovariectomized rats and ovariectomized rats treated with anthocyanins. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that anthocyanins improve learning and memory of rats with estrogen deficit caused by ovariectomy.
