Rutin (a bioflavonoid antioxidant) attenuates age-related memory deficits in mice

Ageing and age-related neurodegenerative disorders, which are associated with free radical generation, may cause impairment of learning and memory in animals and human beings. Rutin, a bioflavonoid, is a potent free radical scavenger. Present study was designed to investigate the effect of rutin (30mg and 40mg/Kg i.p.) in 6, 9 and 12 months old mice and on sodium nitrite (75mg/kg i.p.) induced amnesia in mice. Rutin at a dose of 40mg, significantly decreased the escape latency time (ELT) during the acquisition trials for 4 consecutive days, and increased the time spent (TS) in target quadrant (TQ) in search of missing platform, during the retrieval trials on 5th day. Rutin at a dose of 40mg, also significantly attenuated the increased ELT during the acquisition trials, and stimulated the mice to spent higher time in TQ for searching the hidden platform during the retrieval trials on 5th day in aged as well as sodium nitrite treated mice. On the basis of these observations, it is concluded that rutin at a higher dose i.e. 40mg, improves learning and memory, and attenuates the age-related memory deficits and experimental amnesia possibly by its potent free radical scavenger or antioxidant property, atleast in mice.