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Effect of glycyrrhiza glabra root extract on learning and memory in wistar albino rats.

Authors:Kosuri Kalyan Chakravarthi , Ramakrishna Avadhani ,Rao Sudarshanram Narayan
Int J Biol Med Res. 2012; 3(3): 2059-2064  |  PDF File

Abstract

Aims: Memory is an organism's mental ability to store, retain and recall information. The hippocampus plays an important role in learning and memory. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract on learning and memory in one month old male Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: The aqueous extract of root of Glycyrrhiza glabra was administered orally in four doses (75, 150, 225 and 300 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Elevated plus-maze, Hebb-William maze and Morris water maze tests were conducted to evaluate the learning and memory parameters and served as the exteroceptive behavioral model. Diazepam induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral model. Results: The aqueous extract of root of Glycyrrhiza glabra showed improvement in learning and memory in a dose dependent manner. However, 150 and 225 mg/kg doses have shown a significant (p<0.01) enhancement in learning and memory which is comparable to control. Aqueous extract of Gg (150 and 225 mg/kg, p.o) administrated for 4 weeks reversed amnesia induced by Diazepam Conclusion: Hence Glycyrrhiza glabra appears to be a promising drug for improving memory and it would be worthwhile to explore the potential of this plant in the management of impaired learning, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. However, further studies are necessitated to identify the exact mechanism of action.