Nicotine-Impaired Cognitive and Psychosocial Behavior and Spatial Memory Deficit: The Combined Roles of Garlic Cloves and Honey in Wistar Rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nicotine is an additive abused among youths, which gradually becomes behavioral. The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative roles of aqueous garlic cloves and honey extract on nicotine-induced cognitive, spatial memory, and psychosocial behavior impairments.

METHODOLOGY: Forty rats were divided into 5 groups of eight. Group A served as control, receiving food and water. All the groups except A received 50mg/kg of nicotine for 14 days. Group B served as the nicotine-untreated group; Group C received 200mg/kg of garlic and 1000mg/kg of honey; Group D received 400mg/kg body weight of garlic and 1500mg/kg of honey; and Group E received 600mg/kg of garlic and 2000mg/kg of honey. Garlic and honey treatment lasts 14 days. Spatial memory, anxiety, social behavior, and cognition were measured using the Morris Water Maze (MWM), elevated plus maze, sociability chamber, and novel object recognition test. Brain homogenate was used to determine biomarkers.  

RESULTS: The acquisition latency was significantly decreased in the high-dose compared to the nicotine-untreated on day 4 of the MWM test at p < 0.05. The discrimination index reduced significantly in the high-dose group compared to the nicotine untreated at p < 0.05. The time spent with both novel rats significantly increased in the nicotine-untreated group and was lowered by the garlic clove extract. Glutathion-S-Transferase (GST), glutathione oxaloacetate (GOT), and Thiobarbituric Acid Reacting Substances (TBARS) were significantly reduced in the garlic extract groups at P<0.05.

CONCLUSION: Garlic cloves and honey enhanced brain cell regeneration, improved spatial memory, cognition, and social behaviors, and decreased anxiety.