80
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

The effect of silybin on passive avoidance learning and pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 and DG regions in male Wistar rats offspring

, , , &
Pages 514-522 | Received 12 Dec 2008, Accepted 25 Mar 2009, Published online: 05 Jun 2009
 

Abstract

Silybin, an extract from seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is known to have hepato-protective, anticarcinogenic, and estrogenic effects. Given that estrogen effects on memory have been reported, silybin may cause structural changes in the hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) neurons and as a result it may enhance learning and memory. Wistar rats were provided with silybin (from day 7 of gestational age up to 4 weeks after birth) with 2 dosages of 18 mg/kg in the experimental group 1 (Exp1) and 9 mg/kg in the experimental group 2 (Exp2). Offspring memory retention was compared by duration of step-through latency in passive avoidance apparatus. Furthermore, histological changes were investigated in experimental groups and control group (CG). Both the experimental groups showed significantly longer step-through latency than CG (p < 0.001 for Exp1 and p < 0.01 for Exp2). The average number of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 and granular cells in hippocampal DG was remarkably higher in Exp1 and Exp2 compared with CG. The difference was significant between Exp1 and Exp2 for pyramidal cells (p < 0.05) but not for granular cells. Silybin administration during pregnancy resulted in histological changes in hippocampus and better memory function. These data may lay the ground work using silybin in memory impairment diseases.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr Momeni, Dr Palizvan, and Mr Khazaei for their technical assistance and helpful discussion. The authors also wish to thank Dr Shahab Amini, Mr Kamran Amini, and Mr Masih Masoudi for their help, support, interest, and valuable hints.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 426.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.