Niloofar Honarmandiyan - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
Siamak yari - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
Abdolrahman Sarihi - Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi Mahdiabadi Hasani - Neuroscience and Addiction Studies Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible disease that eventually leads to neuronal loss and neurodegeneration. Based on the findings, oxidative stress is the most important hypothesis involved in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, in which free radicals lead to cell damage, pathology and memory loss. Punicalagin is the main antioxidant substance in pomegranate, and has many physiological activities, including strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the protective effect of punicalagin against streptozotocin-induced memory impairment was investigated. Male Wistar rats weighing ۲۰۰-۲۵۰ g were used in five experimental groups. Streptozotocin was injected intracerebroventricularly into the animal (۳ mg/kg, twice with an interval of ۴۸ h). Also, Punicalagin was injected intracerebroventricularly (۰.۱ mg/kg) for ۳ days. ۱۴ days after receiving streptozotocin, behavioral tests for Novel object recognition and passive avoidance learning were performed to assess learning and memory ability, and then evaluated with Prism program. The results showed that the ability to Novel object recognition in the STZ group decreased significantly compared to the control group as well as the treatment group. Also, the study of the items measured in the passive avoidance learning test shows a decrease in learning of the STZ receiving group compared to the control and treatment groups. According to the results, it seems that punicalagin can prevent streptozotocin-induced learning and memory impairment and improve brain behavioral function. Therefore, considering the effectiveness of punicalagin in the results of behavioral tests to detect a Novel object recognition and passive avoidance learning, it can be used to reduce the destructive effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Antioxidant, novel object recognition, passive avoidance learning