title: Crocus sativus L. extracts antagonize memory impairments in different behavioural tasks in the rat.
abstract: The effects of extracts of Crocus sativus L. (CSE), on memory were investigated in the rat by using the object recognition and the step-through passive avoidance task. In the first study, post-training administration of CSE (30 and 60 g/kg) successfully counteracted extinction of recognition memory in the normal rat, suggesting that CSE modulates storage and/or retrieval of information. In a subsequent study, pre-training treatment with CSE (30 and 60 mg/kg) significantly antagonized the scopolamine (0.75 mg/kg)-induced performance deficits in the step-through passive avoidance test. These results support and extend prior findings about the implication of CSE in learning and memory mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakiriazi Str., 412-22 Larissa, Greece. npitsikas@med.uth.gr
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pitsikas
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakellaridis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D027622:Crocus; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D035264:Flowers; D008297:Male; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts