Effect of Crataegus extract supplementation on diabetes induced memory deficits and serum biochemical parameters in male rats

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the Crataegus extract (CE) eff ;ects on diabetes-induced memory deficit in passive avoidance learning (PAL), blood glucose, and lipid profile panel. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control (CTRL); Diabetic (DM); and Diabetic animals treated with three doses of CE (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg) (DM + CE). Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg, ip) were orally administrated with CE once a day for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, PAL task was used to evaluate the passive avoidance learning and memory. At the end of experiment, the level of plasma glucose, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined. Our results showed that the step-through latency (STLr) in diabetic animals was less than the control group (P = 0.0009). Crataegus (300 mg) increased STLr in diabetic animals (P = 0.0418). Diabetic animals spent more time in the dark compartment (TDC) (P = 0.0009). Crataegus (300 and 1000 mg) decreased TDC in diabetic animals (P = 0.0175). Crataegus (100 and 300 mg) decreased blood glucose in diabetic animals (P < 0.001). TG and Cholesterol concentration increased in diabetic animals in comparison with control (P < 0.05). CE (100 and 300 mg) reduced the cholesterol concentration in diabetic animals (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the case of LDL among the experimental groups (P > 0.05). CE (1000 mg) increased HDL in diabetic animals (P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated that CE had the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects and lead to memory improvement in STZ-induced diabetes.

Keywords: Crataegus extract; Diabetes mellitus; Learning and memory; Lipid profile; Wistar rats.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Experimental design and schedule of PAL test. After one week of adaptation, Extract of Crataegus was administered intragastrically by gavage once a day for 14 days. After 14 days, Passive Avoidance Learning (PAL) task was used to evaluate the passive learning and memory in rats.

Fig. 2

Effect of Crataegus on random blood levels of glucose. Each column and bar represents mean ± S.E.M. **** P < 0.0001, *** P < 0.001.

Fig. 3

Effect of Crataegus on serum levels of TG (a), cholesterol (b), LDL (c) and HDL (d). Each column and bar represents mean ± S.E.M. ****P < 0.0001, ***P < 0. 001, **P < 0. 01, *P < 0. 05.

Fig. 4

Effects of diabetes and Crataegus on the step-through latency in the acquisition trial (STLa) (a), number of trials to acquisition (NTa) (b) of passive avoidance learning (PAL) task in all experimental groups. There was no significant difference in the STLa among the experimental groups of rats. Data presented as means ± S.E.M.

Fig. 5

Effect of diabetes and Crataegus on the step-through latency in the retention trial (STLr) (a), the time spent in the dark compartment in the retention trial (TDC) (b), which was carried out 24 h after acquisition trial of passive avoidance learning (PAL) task in all experimental groups. Data presented as means ± S.E.M. ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01 and *P < 05.