ABSTRACT
Phoenix dactylifera fruits possess essential properties such as analgesic, antioxidant, and nephroprotective activity but there is paucity of information on researches centered on the benefits of Phoenix dactylifera in learning and memory. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Phoenix dactylifera fruit extract on spatial learning and memory using neurobehavioral paradigms of Morris water, Barnes, and elevated plus mazes as well as evaluation of acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity of the brain tissues of the mice studied. Seventy five mice of both sexes were used for the study and divided into five groups of 5 mice each. Group 1 (distilled water 10 ml/kg) served as control, group 5 (Piracetam 100 mg/kg) served as positive control. Groups 2-4 were treated withPhoenix dactylifera extract 1000, 500 and 250 mg/kg respectively. Treatment with aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera and Piracetam was done 1 hour prior to the experiment daily for three days (in Morris water and Barnes mazes) and two days (in elevated plus maze). Results obtained from this study revealed that Phoenix dactylifera fruit (1000 mg/kg) impaired learning of mice in Morris water maze (p<0.05), but did not impair memory in Morris water maze, Barnes maze and elevated plus maze. No statistically significant difference was seen between control group and Phoenix dactylifera treated groups in acetylcholinesterase activity in Morris water, Barnes and elevated plus mazes, but statistically significant difference exist between control group and Piracetam treated group in acetylcholinesterase activity (p>0.05). No strong correlation was observed between probe parameters of neurobehavioral paradigms (frequency of platform crossings, retention and correct head dips in Morris water, Barnes and elevated plus mazes respectively) and acetylcholinesterase activity. Acute treatment with aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera fruit impaired learning in xiv Morris water maze and has no effect on memory in Morris water, Barnes and elevated plus mazes Key words: Phoenix dactylifera, Piracetam, Cognition, Acetylcholinesterase enzyme, Learning and Memory.