Background and Aim: Many learning and memory abilities decline in several diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. The present study investigated the effects of alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves on scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in rats.

Material and Methods: In this experimental study, forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8): control group, scopolamine control group, and groups receiving scopolamine plus alcoholic extract of Morus Alba leaves at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day. After 28 days, learning and spatial memory was evaluated by the Morris water maze. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test.

Results: In scopolamine control group, the injection of scopolamine caused learning (P<0.0001) and spatial memory (P<0.05) impairment compared to the control group. Administration of alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves at the doses of 100 (P<0.05), 200 (P<0.0001), and 400 mg/kg (P<0.0001) improved learning ability in rats. Also, these extracts at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg prevented impairment of spatial memory in rats (P<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study an alcoholic extract of Morus alba leaves can enhance learning and memory function in rats receiving scopolamine.

Keywords: Morus alba, Scopolamine, Spatial memory, Learning; Morris water maze.

Received: Jun 19, 2015      Accepted: Jan 04, 2016