The effect of ethanolic extract of Ferula szowitsiana on cognitive deficits and lipid peroxidation induced by ethidium bromide in experimental model of MS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term microinjection of Ferula szowitsiana extract on the process of spatial memory and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus in an experimental model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Each group has 7 rats. These groups were included control, sham, model of MS and MS groups with plant extract treatments. In the experimental model of MS groups, induction of MS was carried out by single injection of ethidium bromide (EB) into the hippocampus. One week after MS induction by EB (0.01 %), the MS groups were treated by Ferula szowitsiana extract (5 and 10 μg/rat) for 3 consecutive days. Finally following the treatment period, for measuring spatial memory, Morris Water Maze test was carried out and the hippocampus of both sides were dissected and used for measurement of Malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: The results showed that in the experimental model of MS group travelled distance (1022.44±53.29) and escape latency (41.30±3.29) increased compared to travelled distance (885.94±29.56) and escape latency (36.26±0.65) in the control group (p<0.001). Short-term treatment by Ferula szowitsiana extract in this models decreased the travelled distance (838.39±24.16) and escape latency (39.87±1.24) (P<0.001). MDA increased in the experimental model of MS group (3.8±0.51) compared to the control group (0.68±0.13) (p<0.001) and in the Ferula treated group (0.34±0.04) decreased compared to the MS animals (P<0.001). Conclusion: Treatment with Ferula szowitsiana extract is able to prevent memory and learning reduction, through inhibition of lipid peroxidation in an experimental model of MS.