title: Aloe vera improves memory and reduces depression in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aloe vera (barbadensis Mill., Family Liliaceae) since ancient times has been used for the treatment of skin disorders, infection, and as a laxative. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of A. vera (Family Liliaceae) in animal models of learning and memory, depression, and locomotion.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess learning and memory, the passive avoidance task and elevated plus-maze were used. For evaluating depression, the forced swim test and tail suspension test were performed, and to assess locomotor activity, the rota rod test and photoactometer were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A. vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase the acquisition and retention step-down latency as compared to control in the passive avoidance task. In the elevated plus-maze, the highest administered dose (400 mg/kg, p.o.) of A. vera significantly reduced the transfer latency as compared to control. The forced swim test as well as tail suspension test showed that A. vera at all administered doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the period of immobility significantly. However, the locomotor activity did not show any significant change in the rota rod test and photoactometer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus from the above observations, it can be proposed that A. vera enhances learning and memory, and also alleviates depression in mice.
authors: University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
authors: Sumita
authors: S
authors: Halder
authors: Ashish K
authors: AK
authors: Mehta
authors: Pramod K
authors: PK
authors: Mediratta
mesh_terms: D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D003863:Depression / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning; D008568:Memory; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011930:Reaction Time
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts