Effects of Tarragon and Coumarin on Memory and GABAA Gene Expression in Rat Hippocampus

Abstract

Objective(s): GABAA receptors in the hippocampus are effective in learning and memory mechanism. The present study effect of tarragon and coumarin on memory and GABAA gene expression in rat hippocampus.

Methods: 56 Wistar male rats were used and random placement in 7 groups (N = 8) including: Intact, receiving DMSO, tarragon hydroalcoholic extract (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) coumarin (3, 5 mg/kg) intraperitoneal once a day for two weeks. The shuttle box was used for the memory retention test. Brains of rats were removed, 4 brains in each group for the histological test using Nissl staining. In the other four brains, the hippocampus was removed immediately, a gene expression test was performed using real-time PCR. All data are expressed as mean ± STD. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: significant decreased in the memory retention test and the number of healthy pyramidals neurons as well as a significant increase in GABAA- α5 and GABAA- α2 genes expression compared to the group receiving solvent.

Conclusion(s): Tarragon hydroalcoholic extract and coumarin affects memory impairment through increasing the GABAA-α5 and GABAA-α2 genes expression and decreasing the number of healthy hippocampal neurons.