The Effect of Saffron Aqueous Extract and Crocin on PTSD Rat Models: The Focus on Learning and Spatial Memory

J Adv Med Biomed Res. 2018; 26(119): 34-42

9 Pages Posted: 13 Nov 2019 Last revised: 27 Nov 2019

See all articles by Sara Asalgoo

Sara Asalgoo

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Gila Pirzad Jahromi

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Boshra Hatef

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Hedayat Sahraei

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: November 1, 2018

Abstract

Background & Objective: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety reaction, which occurs as a result of encountering a seriously traumatic event during one’s lifetime. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of saffron aqueous extract and crocin on spatial memory and learning with the Barnes maze in a PTSD model on male Wistar rats (Weighting 200–250 gr).

Materials & Methods: Wistar rats (n=48) were randomly divided into two groups: PTSD and non-PTSD. The PTSD group first received intra-cerebero-ventricular (ICV) administration of 10 µg/rat aqueous saffron extract, crocin or saline and then an electric foot shock. After 21 days, both groups were returned to the electric shock box in order to remember stressors without receiving any shocks. Corticosterone levels were then measured in the samples. Concurrently, a digital camera was recording the animals’ behaviors. Upon this, spatial learning and memory was assessed for five consecutive days.

Results: The saffron extract and crocin caused a significant increase (P<0.001) in corticosterone levels and a significant reduction (P<0.05) in freezing behavior, as well as a significant difference (P<0.001) in spatial learning of the two groups.

Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential role of saffron aqueous extract and its active derivative (crocin) in improving behavioral symptoms and spatial learning in PTSD models.

Keywords: Traumatic stress disorder [MeSH], Crocin [MeSH], Corticosterone [MeSH], Spatial learning [MeSH], Spatial memory

Suggested Citation

Asalgoo, Sara and Jahromi, Gila Pirzad and Hatef, Boshra and Sahraei, Hedayat, The Effect of Saffron Aqueous Extract and Crocin on PTSD Rat Models: The Focus on Learning and Spatial Memory (November 1, 2018). J Adv Med Biomed Res. 2018; 26(119): 34-42, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3480403 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3480403

Sara Asalgoo

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Vanak
Tehran
Iran

Gila Pirzad Jahromi (Contact Author)

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences ( email )

Vanak
Tehran
Iran

Boshra Hatef

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Hedayat Sahraei

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
58
Abstract Views
492
Rank
653,991
PlumX Metrics