Evaluating the Root Extract of Cyperus rotundus L. on Learning and Memory in Male Rats

Medicinal plants have gained more attention due to memory disorders such as Alzheimer and the side effects of synthetic drugs. With regard to the usage of this plant in traditional medicine to enhance memory and as there has not been any research on the effect of Cyperus rotundus (C. rotundus) rhizome extract on learning and memory, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of C. rotundus rhizome extract on learning and memory in male rats.

For this purpose, male rats were randomly divided into a control group (which received solvent) and treatment group. The rhizome extract was administered at doses of 1, 10, and 100 mg/kg for 10 days in the treated group intraperitoneal ly. For evaluating learning and memory, initial (IL) and step-through latencies (STL) were determined at the end of the study using passive avoidance test and alternation behavior percentage was obtained using Y maze.

There was no significant diff-erence in IL, between treated and control groups which mean no change in the ability to learn new information in treated rats. On the other hand, there was a significant difference in STL at dose of 100mg/kg gr-oup compared to the control group (p<0.01). On the Y maze test, alternation percentage showed a significant difference in 10mg/kg group compared to the control (p< 0.001).

Intraperitoneal injection of C. rotundus extract enhances information rec-all. However, its positive effect is more in long-term memory than in short-term memory.