Efficacy of long term administration of curcuma longa linn. on learning and retention memory in albino mice

Abstract

There is an increase in non-degenerative memory-related disorders in elderly people. Curcuma Longa linn. can induce cognitive improvement by reducing oxidative stress and antioxidant property. This study evaluated the effect of chronic administration of Curcuma Longa linn. on learning and memory in mice. Twenty four male swiss albino mice aged 6 to 8 weeks, weighing 25-30 g were randomized into control, standard, and test groups. Control group received 0.5% Carboxymethylcellulose; the standard group received piracetam and test group received Curcuma Longa linn. orally for 42 days (6 weeks). Water maze test and step-through passive avoidance test were used to evaluate the effect of Curcuma Longa linn. on learning and memory. 1 week of water maze training done (day 40 to 46). On day 47, spatial memory assessment was done. On day 49 retention memory assessment was done. In control, tandard, and test groups, the mean escape latency (EL) was observed to be 42.7, 30.7, and 31.3 seconds on day 43 which decreased to 11.3, 11.6, and 9.8 seconds on 46th day, respectively. The EL in all the three groups decreased from day 43 to Day 46 (p<0.01). The time spent in the northeast target quadrant was more in the test group (21.6 seconds) compared to control (19.9 seconds) and standard group (19.6 seconds) (p=0.768). Test group showed a trend towards improvement in retention memory (p=0.293) in passive avoidance test. In conclusion, Curcuma Longa linn. demonstrated that long term administration may be useful in enhancing the learning in albino mice but there was no improvement in retention of memory in test group mice as compared to the standard and controlled animals.