Effect of Prunus domestica L. (mirabelle) on learning and memory in mice

BACKGROUND: Plums have been known to have various pharmacological activities. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of plum, using passive avoidance task. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Mice were divided into four groups (n = 7 each) one control and three plum (75, 100, 150 mg/kg) groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The control group received saline and plum groups received the extract by oral gavage for 7 days. The number of trials to acquisition, step through latency (STLr) in the retention test and the time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) during the retention test were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Differences between groups were tested by one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the number of trials to acquisition between the groups. The results also indicated in the retention test, administration of 75 and 100 mg/kg plum caused an increased STLr (compared with the untreated control group). The results also showed that the total time spent in TDC by the animals of the extract groups was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hydro-alcoholic extract of plum has a beneficial effect on learning and memory in passive avoidance task. It can be concluded that its antioxidant and antidyslipidemic activities may be involved in the obtained effects.