The Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Salvia leriifolia Root and Fluvoxamine on the Spatial Memory in Male Rats under Immobilization Stress

Background and Objectives: Oxidative stress causes damage in processes, such as learning and memory through affecting the nervous system. Also, using chemical drugs for treatment of stress-induced depression is often associated with attenuation of memory. In the present study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Noroozak (Salvia leriifolia) root as an antioxidant along with antidepressant drug, fluvoxamine, were investigated on the spatial memory of male rats under immobilization stress.     Methods: In this experimental study, 25 adult male rats (mean weight, 170g), were randomly divided into five groups of 5 each. The animals were orally treated with different doses of drug and extract for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, a radial 8-arm maze was used to investigate the behavioral indices. Also, malondialdehyde and catalase levels in the brain tissue homogenate and glucose and cortisol levels in blood, were measured. Data analysis was carried out using one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey’s test.   Results: Spatial memory in the rats under immobilization stress (sham group) showed a significant decrease as compared to the control group. Administration of extract of Noroozak root improved the spatial memory in the groups receiving extract and extract-drug compared to sham and fluvoxamine groups. Also, the extract of Noroozak root improved the flovoxamine-induced attenuation of memory, increased catalase, and decreased malondialdehyde, glucose, and cortisol in the groups under treatment with extract and extract-drug compared to sham group.   Conclusion: The findings showed that immobilization stress and fluvoxamine administration for the treatment of stress-induced depression resulted in attenuation of spatial memory; while, the extract of Noroozak root improved memory in all groups due to powerful antioxidant property.   &nbsp