The effect of pretreatment with different doses of Lavandula officinalis ethanolic extract on memory, learning and nociception

This study investigated the effects of pretreatment with different doses of Lavandula officinalis ethanolic extract on memory, learning and nociception in male Wistar rats. In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats were studied in 4 groups of 8 each. The control group received distilled water while three treatment groups received oral Lavender extract. Then 2 h after the last dose Morris water maze, shuttle box and rotarod test were performed. To study the analgesic activity the hot plate was used. The rats received orally Lavender extract one hour prior to beginning of the experiment for analgesic activity. The treatment groups with doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the Lavender extract improved learning and memory compared with the control group in final trails in Morris water maze test. Lavender extract increased the latency to fall off for each rat in 100 and 200 mg/kg Lavender groups in rotarod test. Lavender extract with 400 mg/kg dose significantly increased latency to respond to heat stimulus 5 and 15 minutes after beginning of experiment. Although further studies are needed, the results indicate that lavender extract improves memory and learning, and might be beneficial in patients with these disorders, particularly the patients suffering pain. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS