Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Doi
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Achillea
millefolium on recognition memory in mice. Methods: Male mice (35)
were used. The aqueous extract of A. millefolium was prepared using a
Soxhlet apparatus and injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 50, 250,
500 or 1000 mg/kg daily for 20 days. The control group was treated with
saline 1 ml/mouse/day. Tactile learning was assessed using the novel
object recognition test (NORT) in a dark room which entailed
measurement of the distance travelled during trial and test phases.
Results: Treatment with different doses of A. millefolium did not
affect activity levels (based on the distance travelled during trial
and test phases). The total time and frequency of visits to the sample
objects in trial and test phases were not statistically significant
between control and A. millefolium treated groups (p > 0.05). A
comparison of the discrimination ratio between the experimental groups
revealed no difference. Administration of A. millefolium extract for 20
days did not decrease body weight or cause death in the treated
animals. Conclusion: The result of this study demonstrates that chronic
treatment with different doses of the aqueous extract of A. millefolium
did not impair recognition memory in mice