Effects of Zizyphus jujuba Extract on Motor Coordination Impairment Induced by Bilateral Electric Lesions of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert in Rat

Introduction: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by memory impairment, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral disturbances, and deficits in activities of daily living. AD has been found to be associated with a cholinergic deficit in the post-mortem brain characterized by a significant decrease in acetylcholine amount and loss of cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM). This study investigated the effect of Zizyphus jujuba (ZJ) extract on motor activity in NBM-lesioned rat model of AD and intact rats. Methods: In this study, 49 wistar rats were divided into 7 groups. Rats received bilateral electrolytic lesions of the NBM. The control and sham group received distilled water while NBM-lesioned groups received ZJ extract via gastric gavage for 20 days. Intact rats received ZJ extract for 20 days without any surgery. The motor activity assessed with rota-rod apparatus. Data were compared using one way ANOVA followed by LSD post test. Results: ZJ extract for 20 days improved motor activity in NBM-lesioned rats and intact rats that received extract at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. Conclusion: Results suggest that ZJ extract can improve the motor coordination both in NBM-lesioned rats and in intact rats.