title: Involvement of nitrergic system of CA1in harmane induced learning and memory deficits.
abstract: Harmane (HA) is a β-carboline alkaloid derived from the Peganum harmala plant which induces memory impairment. On the other hand some of the investigations showed that β-carboline alkaloids inhibit NO production. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of nitrergic system of the dorsal hippocampus (CA1) in HA-induced amnesia in male adult mice. One-trial step-down passive avoidance and hole-board apparatuses were used for the assessment of memory retrieval and exploratory behaviors respectively. The data indicated that pre-training intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of HA (12 and 16 mg/kg) decreased memory acquisition. Sole pre-training or pre-testing administration of L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor (5, 10 and 15 μg/mice, intra-CA1) did not alter memory retrieval. On the other hand, pre-training (10 and 15 μg/mice, intra-CA1) and pre-testing (5, 10 μg/mice, intra-CA1) injections of L-NAME restored HA-induced amnesia (16 mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, neither sole pre-training nor pre-testing administration of l-arginine, a NO precursor (3, 6 and 9 μg/mice, intra-CA1), altered memory retrieval. In addition, pre-testing (6 and 9 μg/mice, intra-CA1), but not pre-training, injection of l-arginine increased HA-induced amnesia (16 mg/kg, i.p.). These results suggest that the nitrergic system of CA1 is involved in HA-induced amnesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar branch, Semnan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasehi
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piri
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahian
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zarrindast
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D006247:Harmine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009498:Neurotoxins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006247:Harmine; C005010:harman; D001120:Arginine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester