Effect of deglycyrrhinated licorice on rat learning and memory.
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Effect of deglycyrrhinated licorice on learning and memory in rats assessed by hebb william maze and elevated plus maze
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Mangala Srinivas, Ravichandra Volabailu and Sangeeta Nath Sharma
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Effect of deglycyrrhinated licorice on learning and memory in rats assessed by hebb william maze and elevated plus maze
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Doi: 10.20959/wjpr201816-13121
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Learning and memory are crucial cognitive functions that involve acquiring and retaining information. Impairments in these functions are prevalent in various cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and schizophrenia. As researchers seek new memory enhancers, herbal remedies have gained attention for their potential therapeutic roles. One such remedy is deglycyrrhinated licorice (DGL), derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra, which has historically been used for its numerous health benefits, including neuroprotective effects. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DGL in combating diazepam-induced impairments in learning and memory in male Wistar rats using two behavioral maze models: the Hebb William maze and the elevated plus maze.
Effects of Deglycyrrhinated Licorice on Learning
The study examines how DGL influences learning capacity using the elevated plus maze (EPM). The findings reveal that a dosage of 13.5 mg/kg of DGL significantly reduces transfer latency (TL), thus facilitating quicker learning compared to the control group. In contrast, control animals treated only with diazepam exhibited impairment in memorization tasks. This suggests that DGL not only promotes learning but also mitigates the memory deficits typically induced by diazepam, a hallmark of its efficacy as a cognitive enhancer.
Effects of Deglycyrrhinated Licorice on Memory
Similarly, the Hebb William maze (HWM) was employed to assess the time taken by rats to reach a reward chamber, serving as a measure of memory retention. Results indicated that rats treated with 13.5 mg/kg DGL demonstrated a significant reduction in the time taken to reach the reward chamber after both initial and subsequent training sessions. In contrast, the group administered diazepam showed a decrease in memory performance, thus underscoring DGL's role in improving memory retention and acquisition despite diazepam's amnestic effects.
Mechanisms Behind Enhancements
The proposed mechanisms by which DGL restores learning and memory capabilities may involve its interaction with the central nervous system, particularly the basolateral amygdala, which is integral to emotional memory and learning processes. The absence of glycyrrhizin in DGL prevents adverse effects associated with licorice, such as hypertension, allowing it to provide safe neuroprotective benefits without causing further cognitive deficits. The results from this study thus reflect the potential interaction between cholinergic neurotransmission and DGL, which can counteract the cognitive decline associated with diazepam.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the findings from this research indicate that deglycyrrhinated licorice at a dosage of 13.5 mg/kg exhibits significant memory-enhancing properties and can effectively reverse diazepam-induced cognitive impairments in laboratory models. The study advocates for the further exploration of DGL in various experimental settings to better understand its role in cognitive enhancement and its potential application in treating memory-related disorders. Overall, DGL presents a promising avenue for developing herbal interventions aimed at improving learning and memory.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of the study conducted by Srinivas et al.?
The study evaluates the effects of Deglycyrrhinated licorice (DGL) on learning and memory in rats, particularly assessing its impact on diazepam-induced memory impairments.
What animal model was used in the research?
The research utilized male Albino Wistar rats aged 4 to 6 weeks, weighing between 200-250g, housed under standard laboratory conditions.
How was the effectiveness of DGL measured in the study?
Effectiveness was assessed using Hebb William maze (HWM) and Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) tasks, measuring transfer latency (TL) and time taken to reach the reward chamber (TRC).
What dosages of DGL were tested in the research?
The study tested two dosages of DGL at 10 mg/kg and 13.5 mg/kg in different experimental groups to evaluate its effects on learning and memory.
What were the key findings regarding DGL's effects?
The findings indicated that DGL at 13.5 mg/kg significantly reduced transfer latency and time taken to reach the reward chamber, suggesting improved learning and memory, even reversing diazepam-induced amnesia.
What is an important conclusion drawn from the study?
The study concludes that Deglycyrrhinated licorice, particularly at 13.5 mg/kg, has beneficial effects on learning and memory, warranting further exploration using additional models.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Effect of deglycyrrhinated licorice on rat learning and memory.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Animal:
In this research context, 'Animal' refers specifically to the male albino Wistar rats used for experimentation. These animals are chosen for their standardized genetic background and physiological similarities to humans. Their use allows researchers to evaluate the effects of treatments on learning and memory, providing insights relevant to human cognitive disorders.
2) Liquorice (Licorice):
Licorice, particularly its deglycyrrhinated form, is a proposed treatment in this study. Its relevance lies in its historical use in traditional medicine for various ailments, attributed to its neuroprotective properties. The focus on deglycyrrhinated licorice suggests an investigation of its cognitive benefits without the side effects associated with glycyrrhizin.
3) Learning:
Learning signifies the process through which information and skills are acquired, essential for cognitive functioning. In the study, its assessment is crucial to examine how deglycyrrhinated licorice influences memory retention and recall abilities in rats, providing a model for understanding cognitive enhancement potential.
4) Training:
Training in this context refers to the structured exposure of rats to specific tasks in behavioral models such as the Hebb William Maze and Elevated Plus Maze. This controlled environment allows for the observation of behavioral changes and helps assess the influence of treatments like DGL on learning and memory.
5) Study (Studying):
The term 'study' encompasses the entire research process, including design, experimentation, and analysis. It holds relevance as it aims to explore the impact of deglycyrrhinated licorice on learning and memory, contributing to scientific knowledge regarding alternative treatments for cognitive impairments.
6) Glycyrrhiza glabra:
Glycyrrhiza glabra is the scientific name for the licorice plant, known for its therapeutic properties. It serves as the primary source for the study's intervention. The focus on this plant underscores its importance in pharmacology and herbal medicine, particularly regarding its effects on cognitive function.
7) India:
India is the geographical context where the research is conducted. The significance lies in the country's rich tradition of using herbal remedies and the availability of the studied licorice extract. India's diverse flora presents opportunities for research on indigenous plants' medicinal properties, including cognitive enhancement.
8) Table:
In the context of this research, a 'Table' refers to the organized presentation of data summarizing the experimental results. It serves as a useful tool for clearly illustrating the findings related to transfer latency and time to reach the reward chamber, enhancing the communication of results to the scientific community.
9) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on biological systems. In this research, pharmacology is crucial for understanding how deglycyrrhinated licorice acts on the physiological processes related to learning and memory. This knowledge can inform potential therapeutic applications for cognitive deficits.
10) Activity:
In this context, 'activity' refers to the specific effects and actions of the deglycyrrhinated licorice on learning and memory capabilities. The study evaluates how different dosages impact cognitive function, underscoring the relevance of understanding herbal compounds' bioactivity in therapeutic contexts.
11) Disease:
The term 'disease' in this research highlights the ailments such as Alzheimer's, depression, and amnesia that result from cognitive impairment. Exploring treatments like deglycyrrhinated licorice could contribute to mitigating these conditions, providing fundamental insights into their management and potential recovery pathways.
12) Water:
Water serves as a vehicle for oral administration of the therapies being investigated in this study. The provision of water ensures proper hydration of the test subjects (rats) and maintains their physiological well-being during the experimental process, critical for achieving reliable results.
13) Cage:
Cages are the controlled environments in which the rats are housed during the study. These cages are necessary to maintain standard laboratory conditions, ensuring the animals' health and welfare and allowing for observations of behaviors indicative of learning and memory under experimental conditions.
14) Drug:
In this study, 'drug' refers primarily to the deglycyrrhinated licorice extract and diazepam, which are assessed for their effects on learning and memory in rats. Understanding how these substances influence cognitive functions is central to evaluating their therapeutic potential and implications for human medicine.
15) Science (Scientific):
Science is the overarching discipline under which this research operates, involving systematic methodologies to study the effects of substances on biological processes. This framework ensures that findings can be validated, replicated, and understood within a broader context of knowledge regarding cognitive enhancement and herbal medicine.
16) Mangala (Mangal, Mamgala):
Mangala refers to Dr. Mangala Srinivas, the lead researcher in this study. Her contributions and findings are pivotal to advancing knowledge in the field of pharmacology, particularly regarding herbal treatments for cognitive impairments. Her work aims to provide evidence-based insights into alternative therapeutic strategies.
17) Male:
The term 'male' specifies the gender of the rats used in the study, which is relevant for ensuring uniformity and consistency in biological responses. Gender can influence the outcomes of pharmacological studies, making it crucial to define the demographic characteristics of experimental subjects.
18) New Delhi:
New Delhi is referenced as the location of regulatory compliance and the ethical framework guiding the animal experiments. Mentioning this site emphasizes the importance of adhering to ethical standards and regulations in scientific research, ensuring animal welfare and integrity in findings.
19) Discussion:
The discussion section of the study interprets the findings, analyzing their implications in allowing readers to grasp the significance of the data collected. This segment is essential for contextualizing results within existing literature, discussing potential mechanisms, and suggesting future research directions.
20) Depression:
Depression is one of the cognitive disorders linked to impairments in learning and memory. The study's exploration of deglycyrrhinated licorice is relevant as it may provide an alternative treatment for improving cognitive functions in individuals suffering from depression and associated memory deficits.
21) Substance:
Here 'substance' refers to the various materials or compounds being tested, including deglycyrrhinated licorice and diazepam. The study examines how these substances interact with biological systems, influencing cognitive functions. Understanding these interactions is vital for developing effective treatments.
22) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine prevalent in India that utilizes natural substances for health benefits. The relevance lies in its historical context, showcasing the long-standing use of glycyrrhiza glabra in Ayurvedic practices, and integrating this ancient knowledge with modern pharmacological research.
23) Rasayana (Rasa-ayana):
Rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine refers to rejuvenating substances that enhance mental and physical health. This term emphasizes the focus on using deglycyrrhinated licorice as a potential medhya rasayana to improve cognitive function, integrating traditional practices with contemporary pharmacological research input.
24) Toxicity:
Toxicity is a critical aspect considered in the study of deglycyrrhinated licorice. Safety assessments ensure that the therapeutic benefits do not come with harmful side effects, making it essential to establish that the extracts used are non-toxic in effective dosages for potential human applications.
25) Species:
In the context of this research, 'species' refers to the specific type of rat used, Wistar rats. The choice of species is significant as it provides a standardized model to assess learning and memory and enables findings to be compared across similar studies in pharmacological research.
26) Medhya:
Medhya is a term from Ayurveda that designates substances that enhance cognitive functions. This concept relates to the study's hypothesis that deglycyrrhinated licorice could serve as a medhya rasayana, promoting better learning and memory abilities in the experimental subjects.
27) Family:
Family refers to the taxonomic classification of glycyrrhiza glabra, placing it within the Leguminosae family. Understanding its biological classification is important for recognizing the ecological and chemical characteristics of the plant, which can influence its pharmacological properties and applications in medicine.
28) Sharman (Sarma, Sarman, Sharma):
Sharma refers to one of the authors contributing to this research study. The inclusion of various authors often reflects collaborative efforts in scientific research, bringing diverse expertise to the project, which enriches the quality and validity of the findings presented.
29) Delhi:
Delhi’s mention underscores its significance as a regulatory framework location, especially concerning animal experimentation guidelines. It highlights the importance of adhering to ethical standards in research, ensuring humane treatment of animal subjects and promoting integrity in scientific investigations.
30) Edema (Oedema):
Edema relates to a condition characterized by swelling, which can be a side effect of certain compounds in licorice. Understanding such adverse effects is critical when investigating drugs, as it informs safety considerations and helps researchers limit negative health impacts when assessing cognitive benefits.
31) Ulcer:
Ulcer refers to sores that can occur in the stomach or intestines, commonly treated with deglycyrrhinated licorice. The significance of ulcer treatment in ethical pharmaceutical discourse establishes the essential role natural products play in managing gastrointestinal issues, relevant to traditional and modern medical practices.
32) House:
House refers to the controlled environment where the animals are kept during the experiment. Maintaining a house or housing facility under standardized conditions is vital for ensuring consistent experimental outcomes and the overall health and welfare of the research subjects.
33) Food:
Food denotes the nutritional supply provided to the rats during the study. Ensuring access to adequate food is crucial for maintaining the health of the animals involved, as it affects their physiological state and behavior, which ultimately influences the study's results.
34) Diet:
Diet refers to the nutritional regimen followed by the rats in the study. A controlled diet is essential to guarantee that any observed effects are attributable to the interventions being tested, allowing for accurate evaluation of the impact of substances like DGL on learning and memory.
35) Sign:
Sign refers to the statistical significance of the results obtained in the study. A P-value threshold of <0.05 was used to determine statistical significance, essential for validating whether the observed effects of the treatments are not due to random chance, thereby supporting the study's conclusions.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Effect of deglycyrrhinated licorice on rat learning and memory.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pharmacological properties, Learning and memory, Memory enhancing activity, Dementia, Elevated Plus Maze, Transfer latency, Anti-inflammatory effect, Institutional animal ethics committee, Male Wistar rats, Neuroprotective role, Experimental protocol, Diazepam-induced amnesia, Antiulcer activity, Cognitive disorder, Neuropeptides.