Effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract on motor coordination impairment induced by scopolamine in rats

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Main Authors: Samira Asgharzade, Zahra Rabiei, Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015
• Subjects: Motor coordination impairment; Chamomile plant; Scopolamine; Rat; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.06.006; https://doaj.org/article/61c91cfad5e044b387851485cf74a3e5

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract of chamomile on balance and motor learning in rats receiving scopolamine and intact rats. Methods: Fourty-two rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 7). Control group received distilled water. Rats in Group 2 were given 1 mg/kg scopolamine. Groups 3 and 4 received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and scopolamine simultaneously for 20 days. Intact groups (Groups 5 and 6) only received chamomile extract 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. Motor coordination of rats was assessed with rotarod apparatus. Results: According to the obtained results, compared with the control group, scopolamine significantly decreased time spent on rotarod performance (P < 0.001). Compared with scopolamine group, the strength and staying on rotarod apparatus in Group 3 significantly increased (P < 0.05). The results of this research showed that intact groups that received only chamomile extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly increased time spent on rotarod, compared with scopolamine group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated the high antioxidant property and protective effect of chamomile extract on motor coordination in the groups that received scopolamine.