The Ameliorating Effect of Beta Vulgaris Extract on Memory and Learning Impairment Induced by Lesions of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert in Rat

Introduction: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) affects a large number of aged populations. The current therapeutic approach to treat cognitive loss associated with AD is cholinergic enhancement strategy using muscarinic or nicotinic receptor ligands and Aacetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. The Beta Vulgaris Leaves (BVL) extract has AChE inhibitory and antioxidant activities and may have beneficial effects in AD patients. Aim: To investigate the effects of BVL extract on memory impairments induced by lesions on Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) using the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks in rat. Materials and Methods: Total of 49 male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups including: Group 1- control, without surgery, received saline, Group 2-NBM lesion, Group 3 and Group 4 -NBM+BVL extract 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. per day for 15 days, respectively. A Group 5- Sham group (with surgery, but no drug), Group 6 and Group 7- intact groups which received BVL extract, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. per day for 15 days, respectively. The step through latency was measured by shuttle box test. The preference probe test was done using water maze apparatus. Results: In shuttle box test, the step through latency increased significantly in NBM+100 BVL (Group 3), NBM+200 BVL (Group 4), Intact+100 BVL (Group 6), Intact+200 BVL (Group 7) groups in comparison to AD group (p