Abstract:
Several studies had revealed that Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) causes impairment of
learning and memory and leads to dementia. T2DM negatively affects the hippocampal integrity
and neurogenesis as insulin supports the fibroblast growth factor which regulates the
neurogenesis process. The impaired insulin activity and secretion contributes in impairment of
learning and memory. The present study elucidated the potential effects of Rosmarinus
officinalis, commonly known as rosemary on impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis in T2DM
mice model using behavioral tests histological and immunohistochemical analysis. The male
Balb/c mice were administered high fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ) (100 mg/kg i.p.) dose at 6th
and 9th week of age. Following this, the 50 mg/kg dose of rosemary leaves extract was
administered orally for 21 days starting 36 hr after the second STZ injection at 9 weeks of age.
The results revealed the impairment of learning and memory associated with a decline in
neurogenesis in T2DM mice. Interestingly after receiving R. officinalis extract diabetic mice
reflect significant improvement in learning and memory and induction of neurogenesis process in
hippocampus. The results are assertive of the notion that neurogenesis induced by the
administration of R. officinalis extract lead to an improvement in learning and memory in
diabetic mice. In conclusion it can be suggested that R. officinalis can be a potential drug for
improvement of learning and memory in diabetes, however further studies are also required to
explore the active constituents of R. officinalis that will further strengthen the preliminary
finding of the present study.
