The effect of Zataria multiflora hydroalcoholic extract on memory and lung changes induced by rats that inhaled paraquat

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on memory changes, as well as lung injury due to inhaled paraqut (PQ) in rat, were examined.

Method: Control group of rat with saline aerosol administration, PQ groups with PQ aerosol (27 and 54 mg/m³) administration, PQ groups treated with two doses of the extract (200 and 800 mg/kg/day) and dexamethasone (0.03 mg/kg/day) were studied. Shuttle box and Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests were carried out as well as oxidant, anti-oxidant markers, total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts and cytokine levels in broncho-alveolar lavage (BALF).

Results: Inhaled PQ significantly increased the escape latency and travelled distance in MWM test, but the time spent in the target quadrant on the probe day was significantly reduced (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). The latency to enter the dark room at 3, 24, and 48 h after an electrical shock was reduced due to PQ (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Exposure to PQ significantly increased total WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts, IL-10, interferon gama (INF-γ), nitrite (NO₂), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, but catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiol levels were decreased (p < 0.05 to p < 0.00). Z. multiflora and dexamethasone treatment significantly improved all behavioral as well as lung changes induced by inhaled PQ (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Z. multiflora treatment improved learning and memory impairment as well as lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by inhaled PQ.

KEYWORDS:

• Zataria multiflora
• paraquat
• learning
• memory
• lung inflammation
• oxidative stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Vice President of Research, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for the financial support to the study.

Notes on contributors

Mahrokh Heydari

Mahrokh Heydari is an M.Sc. in Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science.

Amin Mokhtari-Zaer

Amin Mokhtari-Zaer is a Ph.D. student in Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science.

Fatemeh Amin

Fatemeh Amin is a Ph.D. student in Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science.

Arghavan Memarzia

Arghavan Memarzia is an M.Sc. in Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science.

Saeideh Saadat

Saeideh Saadat is a Ph.D. student in Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science.

Mahmoud Hosseini

Mahmoud Hosseini is an M.Sc. in Medical Physiology, Iran University of Medical Science, Ph.D. in Medical Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Professor of Physiology Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

Mohammad Hossein Boskabady

Mohammad Hossein Boskabady is M.D. in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Ph.D. in Clinical Respiratory Physiology, University of London, Professor of Physiology in Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.