Turkish Journal of Biology
Abstract
The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of the methanol extract obtained from Lycium barbarum fruits on anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and spatial memory in Wistar albino rats. A total of 28 rats were selected, randomly assigned to four experimental groups, and tested by means of the open field and elevated plus maze tests for anxiety-like behaviors, the forced swim test for depression-like behaviors, and the Morris water maze test for spatial memory. The findings demonstrated that in the open field, L. Barbarum-administered rats spent more time at the center and showed more mobility and velocity than controls. In the elevated plus maze, L. Barbarum-administered rats spent more time in the open arms, spent less time in the closed arms, and showed more mobility and velocity. In the Porsolt test, L. Barbarum-administered rats showed less immobility. In the Morris water maze, L. Barbarum-administered rats took more time to find the platform. However, females were better at finding the platform than males. The methanol extract of L. Barbarum fruits decreased anxiety and depression-like behaviors and interacted with sex on spatial memory.
DOI
10.3906/biy-1507-114
Keywords
Lycium barbarum (goji berry), anxiety, depression, spatial memory, Wistar albino rat (Rattus rattus)
First Page
762
Last Page
771
Recommended Citation
KARAKAŞ, F. P, COŞKUN, H, SAĞLAM, K, & BOZAT, B. G (2016). Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry) fruits improve anxiety, depression-like behaviors, and learning performance: the moderating role of sex. Turkish Journal of Biology 40 (4): 762-771. https://doi.org/10.3906/biy-1507-114
