Repeated administration of fresh garlic increases memory retention in rats
Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum) is regarded as both a food and a medicinal herb. Increasing attention has focused on the biological functions and health benefits of garlic as a potentially major dietary component. Chronic garlic administration has been shown to enhance memory function. Evidence also shows that garlic administration in rats affects brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) levels. 5-HT, a neurotransmitter involved in a number of physiological functions, is also known to enhance cognitive performance. The present study was designed to investigate the probable neurochemical mechanism responsible for the enhancement of memory following garlic administration. Sixteen adult locally bred male albino Wistar rats were divided into control (n = 8) and test (n = 8) groups. The test group was orally administered 250 mg/kg fresh garlic homogenate (FGH), while control animals received an equal amount of water daily for 21 days. Estimation of plasma free and total tryptophan (TRP) and whole brain TRP, 5-HT, and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. For assessment of memory, a step-through passive avoidance paradigm (electric shock avoidance) was used. The results showed that the levels of plasma free TRP significantly increased (P < .01) and plasma total TRP significantly decreased (P < .01) in garlic-treated rats. Brain TRP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA levels were also significantly increased following garlic administration. A significant improvement in memory function was exhibited by garlic-treated rats in the passive avoidance test. Increased brain 5-HT levels were associated with improved cognitive performance. The present results, therefore, demonstrate that the memory-enhancing effect of garlic may be associated with increased brain 5-HT metabolism in rats. The results further support the use of garlic as a food supplement for the enhancement of memory.
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Prolonged garlic uptake is related to promoting memory function by affecting the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
“Haider et al. [96] reported that the prolonged garlic uptake is related to promoting the memory function by affecting the levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin.”
From Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review (2020) · cites this paper as [96]
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- Authors
- Haider, S., Naz, N., Khaliq, S., Perveen, T., & Haleem, D. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Karachi (PK)
- Venue
- Journal of Medicinal Food
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-12
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 675-679
- ISSN
- 1096-620X (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7600
- OpenAlex
- W2082414723
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Medicinal Food (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Garlic and Onion Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Ginkgo biloba and Cashew Applications
- Keywords
- garlic, memory retention, serotonin, tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, passive avoidance, cognitive enhancement, dietary supplements, neurochemical mechanisms
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Avoidance Learning, Brain, Garlic, Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, Phytotherapy, Memory, Tryptophan, Rats, Wistar, Plant Preparations, Rats
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